Page 63 - Sotheby's Part II Collection of Sir Joeseph Hotung Collection CHINESE ART , Oct. 9, 2022

This table is exceptional in many respects and no related piece
124 I FOR COMPLETE CATALOGUING ༉းྡ፽ʫ࢙ሗᓭᚎ SOTHEBYS.COM/HK1292
pleasant exercise. In this position, the opposite side could also be
appears to be recorded. Rectangular tables of these broad used by an assistant to hold the sheet of paper or for some other
proportions are unusual and the intriguing carving on the apron purpose. It was also common to place these tables in a room, away
of the present piece is extremely rare. The sensitive decoration from walls, with or without chairs.” Such tables are often depicted
of two confronting kui dragons of stylised form with sinuous in contemporary paintings and woodblock-printed books, as in an
bodies almost completely dissolved into abstract scrollwork lends illustration in Guzhang Juechen [Fantastic tales of society] published
this table a strikingly elegant presence. Drawing from Chinese in the Chongzhen period (1628-44), as illustrated in Grace Wu, The
traditional iconography, the archaistic kui dragons grant a sense Best of the Best. The MQJ Collection of Ming Furniture, vol. 1, Beijing,
of opulence. The table legs, shaped to an articulated profile and 2017, p. 134, which depicts a lady sitting on a stool and leaning on
continuing the angular scrollwork, are also not commonly found a large painting table to read a letter, with a vase and a few other
on contemporary pieces. decorative objects placed on the opposite end.
Painting tables are distinguished by their generous length and With its beautifully vibrant colour and highly figured grain, huanghuali
depth, the absence of drawers, as well as their simple decorations wood was reserved for high-quality furniture since the Ming
beneath the tabletops, creating ample space for free, unimpeded dynasty (1368-1644). Craftsmen made use of the special features
movement for painting, writing or reading. Tables of this type were of the timber by creating furniture with smooth, plain surfaces
the most important piece of furniture in the scholar’s studio. The and restrained adornment to celebrate the natural beauty of the
renowned Chinese furniture scholar Wang Shixiang discusses the distinctive grain. The wood continued to be treasured by the imperial
form of these tables in his publication Connoisseurship of Chinese court and the upper classes during the Qing period (1644-1911) and
Furniture, Hong Kong, 1990, vol. 1, p. 68 and notes that “the popular was used extensively to produce sophisticated furniture such as the
arrangement for all tables was with one end against a window where present piece.
abundant natural light made writing, painting or reading a more
THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF THE LATE SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG I 125