A RARE HUANGHUALI ALTAR TABLE, QIAOTOUAN QING DYNASTY, EARLY 18TH CENTURY |

the panelled rectangular top terminating in everted flanges, above a plain beaded apron carved and pierced with ruyi scrolls atop each leg, the square section legs secured by two cross braces joined by a quatrefoil brace, all above a stretcher at the base

Purchased from MD Flacks Ltd., 1999.

The table is in good condition with the exception of wear and minor loss to the ends of both the stretchers on one side, possible replacement of one of the sides of the quatrefoil cusped panel, several circular stains to the top and loss of patina to the top surface which would benefit from polishing.
"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."

Fashioned from huanghuali boards of a warm brown tone and with a lively grain pattern, this table is remarkable for the elegant carved panels between the legs and the delicate and fluid rendering of the ruyi spandrels, accentuated by the finely beaded borders. Its construction is particularly unusual and exemplifies the variety of regional styles that developed in the late Ming (1368-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The sturdy square-section legs are joined to the large spandrels and apron by a dovetail wedge, and therefore appear flush with the spandrels. This type of joinery is commonly associated with Fujian province, where the establishment of a discerning and wealthy merchant class resulted in the development of a distinctive furniture tradition. A huanghuali table of this type, but lacking the apron and the spandrel carved with a geometric design, was included in the exhibition Chinese Art from the Scholar’s Studio, J.J. Lally & Co. New York, 2015, cat. no. 71; and two tables attributed to the late Qing dynasty, illustrated in John Kwang-ming Ang, Longyan Wood Furniture, Arts of Asia, vol. 34 no. 5 (October 2005), pls 19 and 20, were sold in our New York rooms, the first made of longyan wood, 1^st/2^nd December 1992, lot 547, and the second made of zitan, 23^rd/24^th March 1998, lot 752. See also a huanghuali table with the legs similarly joined to the spandrels, but with scroll ends and carved with chilong, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (I), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 146.

Compare also a longyan display cabinet attributed to the late Qing dynasty, carved on the sides with braces joined to form a quatrefoil shape similar to those on the sides of the legs of the present table from the San Xing Tang collection, illustrated in John Kwang-ming Ang, op. cit., pls 40a and 40b.