Page 262 - Bonhams May 11th 2017 London Fine Chinese Art

331

331 TP Y 332 TP
A HUANGHUALI TWO-TIERED SIDE TABLE A LARGE METAL-THREAD ‘LANDSCAPE’ CARPET FOR THE
17th century PALACE OF HEAVENLY PURITY
The rectangular top above plain aprons and spandrels, raised on tall Late Qing Dynasty
cylindrical legs and joined at the centre by a single shelf. The carpet of rectangular shape and vertically oriented, finely woven
82cm (32 1/4in) high x 75.5cm (29 3/4in) wide x with a central panel depicting a pair of cranes in flight between two
37.5cm (14 7/8in) deep. confronted pavilions, all reserved on a ground of meandering floral
scrolls flanked by four writhing dragons pursuing flaming pearls,
£8,000 - 12,000 all within polychrome ruyi and lishui borders, with a five-character
CNY69,000 - 100,000 inscription within a rectangular cartouche at the top reading
Qianqinggong beiyong ‘For use in the Palace of Heavenly Purity’.
十七世紀 黃花梨平頭案 364cm (143 2/8in) long x 271.5cm (106 6/8in) wide

Compare the present table to a huanghuali side table, also with an £10,000 - 15,000
integral shelf, from the collection of Mr and Mrs J.Biddle, illustrated by CNY86,000 - 130,000
R.H.Ellsworth in Chinese Furniture: Hardwood Examples of the Ming
and Early Ch’ing Dynasties, New York, 1971, p.173, no.72. 清末 「乾清宮備用」海屋添籌圖地毯

See also a similar huanghuali side table with extra tier, 17th century, The ‘Palace of Heavenly Purity’, located at the northern end of the
which was sold at Christie’s New York, 16 March 2017, lot 668. Forbidden City, was one of the three main palaces of the inner court.
Serving as the emperor’s living quarter during the Ming dynasty,
it became an audience hall reserved for meetings with the Grand
Council, foreign envoys, and holding banquets.

254 | BONHAMS For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.