Page 92 - 2020 Nov 30 Christie's Hong Kong Scholars Art Of China
P. 92
2848 Continued
The present cabinet is a superb example of the highly successful
combination of huanghuali and spotted bamboo. Thin strips of
bamboo were meticulously inlaid in hexagons depicting the pattern
seen on tortoise shell, and angular scrolls of geometric pattern
resembling the lattice panels decorating gardens in Southern China,
both demonstrating exquisite craftmanship. The result is a pleasing
combination of a mottled lighter bamboo contrasting attractively
against the darker, lustrous grain of the huanghuali wood.
The round-corner tapered cabinet, yuanjiaogui, with its simple
lines, is one of the most beautiful and elegant designs in classical
Chinese furniture. It was a popular and successful form. Its type
of construction was widely used in cabinet making throughout the
Ming and Qing dynasties. In the present rare cabinet this simple but
elegant form has been elevated not only by the refined moulding
of the huanghuali members and the carefully balanced proportions,
but by the use of strips of spotted bamboo which form the panels of
the doors and sides. The uniquely figured natural spots of bamboo
with varying patterns and colours play against each other to create
a fascinating visual interplay of light and dark.
This combination of a simple, well-known shape and two highly
prized materials, huanghuali and fine spotted bamboo, exemplifies
the scholarly ideal of classical Chinese furniture of 18th century.
This unique cabinet is extremely rare for combining mixed materials
of multiple designs, a contemplated choice for the construction
of furniture and furnishings which became fashionable during the
Qianlong period. There are only two related published examples
known: a pair of huanghuali cabinets decorated with bamboo
hexagons on both doors and sides, is illustrated in Living with Ming
- the Lu Ming Shi Collection, Hong Kong, 2000; another example
with only the doors inset with hexagons, is illustrated in Chan
Chair and Qin Bench: The Dr S Y Yip Collection of Classic Chinese
Furniture II, Hong Kong, 1998, p.102.
於黃花梨家具上以湘妃竹裝飾乃極其珍罕,本拍品為融合十八世紀
家具工藝及文人意趣的代表作,具中國南方地區風格。精挑細選黃
花梨及湘妃竹兩種最珍貴的材質,並結合中國家具的圓角櫃結構及
文雅多變的嵌竹工藝,融會貫通,相輔相成,以奢華貴氣和內涵技
術,交織出高雅和諧的品味和意趣。此設計雅致美觀,以工藝巧妙
運用昂貴材料,邊框和紋飾深淺對比,以創最極致的美感。櫃子上
的幾何紋,源自南方園林中窗櫺的設計。圓角櫃結構自明清一直廣
為沿用,但同時具備複合材質和多種花樣設計的家具,應盛行於工
藝技術發展巔峰的乾隆朝。
黃花梨嵌湘妃竹圓角櫃只見兩例著錄。比利時侶明室舊藏一對,著
錄於《侣明室家具圖集》,香港,2000年,櫃面與櫃側皆飾六角龜
背紋,而本拍品的樣式更豐富多變;另一例只有櫃門有斑竹裝飾,
見《攻玉山房藏明式黄花梨家具Ⅱ:禪椅琴凳》, 香港,1998年,
頁102。
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