Lot 698
  • 698

A 'HUANGHUALI' RECESSED-LEG TABLE (PINGTOUAN) QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 USD
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Description

  • Height 33 in., 83.8 cm; Width 75 in., 190.5 cm; Depth 20 in., 50.8 cm
the top of standard miter, mortise and tenon construction, enclosing a two-board floating panel supported underneath by dovetailed transverse stretchers, the edge of the frame gently molded and beaded, the splayed cylindrical legs double tennoned into the top and cut to house the plain spandreled apron, each pair of legs joined on the short side by two oval-sectioned stretchers

Provenance

J.T. Tai & Company, New York, 1974.

Condition

The top panels with a dry surface, some staining, shrinkage, a long strip patch repair and splitting that has been consolidated with wood braces underneath, there is some splitting to the frame on one side. There are repaired breaks and splits to two of the legs. There has been general consolidation and wear overall with expected minor repairs and likely replacement of the stretchers and aprons on the short ends. Please note that this lot will require a CITES permit for export outside of the United States.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The classic form of the present table has historically been referred to as 'character one'. The Chinese word for 'one' is written as a single horizontal stroke giving a graphic image of this type of very linear table.The descriptive term of  'character one table type' (yi zi zhuo shi) is taken from the Wanli period edition of the Lu Ban jing jiang jia jing, [The Classic of Lu Ban and the Craftsman's Mirror], named after the mythical patron of the carpenter's craft and containing information on architectural woodwork and the making of furniture.

For other tables of this form, see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1990, pl. B81 and a painting table illustrated in Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood, The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, pl. 22 and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 130.