Page 80 - 2020 Nov 30 Christie's Hong Kong Scholars Art Of China

THE PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR
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A MAGNIFICENT AND EXTREMELY RARE Of all the forms in Chinese furniture, the square, rectangular (including
CARVED ZITAN HEXAGONAL TABLE those with canted corners) are the most common, followed by
circular, and then the hexagonal, octagonal, quatri-lobed, cinque-
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795) lobed, hexa-lobed and the conjoined-lozenge form etc. As the forms
The table top is constructed with six sides above a shallow waist became more complicated, the craftsmanship required became more
that is decorated with a register of floral scrolls, and two further demanding. These pieces with complicated forms were not only made
to demonstrate the ultimate artistic skills that were achieved but they
registers of lotus lappets and joined ruyi heads on the rounded also served a functional purpose for their display locations. Take the
shoulder. Each of the vertical sides is finely carved in shallow current hexagonal table, for example, the inclusion of a drawer points
relief with large floral blooms growing on scroll-form vines, and to certain degree of frivolity and functionality, and it would have been
skilfully concealing a drawer of trapezoid-form which can be placed in the centre of an important space where people can sit around
neatly pulled by a metal ring at the centre. The corners of the it without the sitters having to distinguish their ranks. Its large size
and unique style makes it the only such example. Most hexagonal or
table are supported by elegant tapering ‘dragonfly’ legs, each circular tables of this size were made with two independent halves, so
terminating in an upturned end of ruyi form. Set above the foot that they can be used individually, and rarely have the gravitas of the
is a conforming hexagonal panel, sumptuously carved with floral current example.
blooms of varying sizes growing with leaves on long stems. The table top is made with six sections joined by invisible tenons, a
36 ½ in. (93 cm.) high, 44 ¾ in. (113 cm.) wide, common joinery in zitan furniture. The edge of the table top has a
38 1/7 in. (97 cm.) deep subtly tapered profile reducing to a single step towards the bottom
edge, and looks very simple and elegant.
HK$16,000,000-20,000,000 It has a relatively high waist, which is carved in relief with scrolling
US$2,100,000-2,600,000 passion fruit blooms and acanthus leaves, each bloom accompanied
by four leaves, giving the impression of four cartouches per each side
PROVENANCE of the waist. The step below the waist is carved with a band of lotus
Yamanaka & Co., by 1932 petals. This type of lotus petals are named in the Records (archival
Hosokawa Moritatsu (1883-1970) Family Collection records of the imperial workshops known as the Zaobanchu) as the
Hierlooms of Chinese Art from the Hosokawa Clan, sold at ‘badama’, a terminology that could be traced back to the Yuan Dynasty.
The raised apron is carved with a band of cloud scrolls on the top
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2014, lot 3108 edge, much like a brocade border. Although it is also relief carving, the
carving style is quite different. Unlike the sharp carving of the previous
EXHIBITED bands, this is carved in a more rounded and fuller style, akin to carvings
Sekai kobijutsu tenrankai, Antiques of the World exhibition, on rhinoceros horns, and acts to elongate the lotus band below the
Yamanaka & Co., and Tokyo Art Club, Osaka and Tokyo, 1932, waist to give a more luxurious effect.
Catalogue, no. 770
Sekai kobijutsu daitenkan, Grand Exhibition of the World Ancient
Relics, Yamanaka & Co., Osaka, 1938, Catalogue, no. 193
ILLUSTRATED
Sekai kobijutsu tenrankai shashinshu, Photo Album of Antiques
of the World exhibition, Yamanaka & Co., and Tokyo Art Club,
Osaka and Tokyo, 1932.

清乾隆 紫檀西蕃蓮紋展腿式六方桌

來源
山中商會，1932年以前
細川護立（1883-1970）家族舊藏
《逸韻相承：細川家族藏中國藝珍》，香港蘇富比，2014年
10月8日，拍品3108號

展覽
《世界古美術展覽會》，山中商會、東京美術俱樂部，
大阪、東京，1932年，編號770
《世界古美術大展觀》，山中商會，大阪，1938年，編號193

著錄
《世界古美術展覽會寫真集》，山中商會、東京美術俱樂
部，大阪、東京，1932年。
©Yamanaka & Co., Ltd., 1932, Antiques of the World exhibition
© 山中商會，1932 年，《世界古美術展覽會》

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