A 'HUANGHUALI' HIGH-WAISTED KANG TABLE LATE MING DYNASTY

the lip-edged top of standard mitre, mortise, and tenon construction framing a single-board, floating panel tongue-and-grooved into the mitred frame and supported by two dove-tailed transverse stretchers underneath, both with exposed tenons, the edge of the frame moulding downward and forming a concave groove in the middle, ending in a beaded edge, the extremely high recessed waist accommodating a drawer in front, the two sides and back tongue-and-grooved to the frame top and the exposed upper portion of the beautifully shaped cabriole legs with curvilinear, beaded-edged aprons half-lapped, mortised and tennoned to them, the drawer with a huangtong plate and pull

Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali wood: The Dr S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Art Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1991, pp. 88-89, cat. no. 31.
Art and the Chinese Scholar: the S.Y. Yip Collection, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona, 1996-99.
The Millennium Exhibition of Ming Furniture from the Dr S Y Yip Collection, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2000.

Good overall condition with just typical insignificant bruising and surface wear. There are areas of shrinkage and age cracks, especially to the inner drawer.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Kang table is a classic type of Ming tables, suitable for use at mat level or on the kang, a hollow brick platform where hot air is driven through to create a warm living space.

Large size kang tables have survived in some numbers but small ones like the present piece are quite rare. Small size kang tables were used on canopy beds, daybeds, luohan beds, as well as on the kang.

This design with an extremely high waist is ideally suited to accommodate a drawer.