A JUMU SIMIANPING S-BRACE INCENSE STAND LATE MING DYNASTY |

of simianping form, the rectangular top of standard mortise, mitre, and tenon construction enclosing a floating panel, set directly upon a beaded-edged apron and four beaded-edged corner legs of square section terminating in hoof feet, the legs joined to two stretchers on the underside of the top with four 'S'-shaped braces creating an elegant profile

Christopher Cooke, London.

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are minor bruises and losses to the edges of the table top and tips of the feet.There is flaking to the underside of the table top. Other general surface wear and scratching.
"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."

Incense stands, xiangji, belong to one of the rarest types in surviving examples of Ming furniture. Made in a variety of shapes, incense stands could have been used for display of scholarly rocks, bonsai, vases or incense burners, as illustrated by Gao Lian in Zunsheng ba jian [Eight discourses on the art of living], compiled in 1591. See a slightly larger huanghuali and yingmu incense stand of similar form with 'S'-shaped braces, but raised on base stretchers, published in Grace Wu Bruce, Two Decades of Ming Furniture, Beijing, 2010, p. 22. Among the indigenous woods of China, Jumu is the hardest of all, and in ancient times, one of the most precious before the use of huanghuali wood. Ju grows in Jiangsu and Zhejiang province and surviving examples are almost all identical to huanghuali Ming Furniture in form, style and craftsmanship. Therefore cabinet makers and true connoisseurs of Chinese furniture greatly valued them, believing in their aesthetic and historical merits despite them being made of a less precious wood.

The wood is hard and dense, of a beautiful colour and grain, with a characteristic 'pagoda'; pattern suggesting a scenery of mountainous ranges.