Page 12 - Classical Chinese Furniture from Heveningham Hall may 28 2021 hk.pdf

official’s hat” armchair similarity between the
(sichutouguanmaoyi) three rare pieces, this
shares the same shape lot stands out with its
with the wooden chair Lot 2810 拍品編號 2810 Lot 2814 拍品編號 2814 distinctive details.
model unearthed from
the tomb of Wang Xijue from the Wanli period in Suzhou. Let’s take a look at two more huanghuali round-corner
This classical chair prevailing in late Ming dynasty and tapered cabinets (yuanjiaogui). The first one (lot 2804) with
early Qing dynasty embodies the purity, sophistication and an original base and constructed with membes of lobed
elegance of late Ming furniture. The crest rail, arm rails, molding. The four doors and side panels bear the same fine
stiles and legs curve gracefully to form the upper section. and delicate grains, proving that they were crafted from the
The C-shaped back splat and reverted rear legs create a same log. Each drawer features a copper puller inspired by
strong visual tension, and the rounded end pieces of the a lively toad, a symbol of wealth and fertility in the Chinese
crest rail and arm rails complete the subtle and understated culture. We can still see the original thick red lacquer, though
style. The unrivalled skills and techniques of the artisans are partially worn, on the back. The other cabinet is a square-
manifested in the impressive narrow blade-shaped apron section round-corner cabinet (lot 2810). This sophisticated
beneath the seat. The stretchers between the legs are set at and elegant piece reveals the original interior décor in dark
different heights to create a pleasant visual effect. The overall green, a common feature of Weiyang furniture. Another
design, wooden nails and the black lacquer base reveal distinctive characteristic of the design is the transverse
that this chair was likely made in the Jiangnan area. Similar stretcher under the doors that reaches the outer sides of the
chairs characterised by the low square seat and the absence legs. This cabinet was in the collection of Marcus Flacks and
of side posts can also be found in Anhui and Jiangsu. Among was illustrated in Classical Chinese Furniture: A Very Personal
the dozen examples I have seen in the past few years, this lot Point of View.
is undoubtedly amongst the best.
The only Qing furniture in this sale are a pair of imperial
The sale also presents three distinctive huanghuali canopy zitan lanterns (lot 2814) formerly in the collection of
beds, including this huanghuali six-poster canopy bed Robert·Hatfield·Ellsworth. The exquisite imperial wooden
(jiazichuang) (lot 2806) featuring a special design and lanterns consist of many small and fragile elements that tend
construction. The “four-corner flush” form is matched with to break easily when placed on flat surfaces. Therefore, only
the rarely seen flat rectangular legs. The leg fronts are fixed a few examples survive today. The present pair in the form
to the apron and the frame with large diagonal joints, while of a pavilion each has an upper part resembling a Buddha
on the sides they are connected with the apron through hat and a lower part resembling a sumeru pedestal. Adorned
the small joints under the frame. This four-corner mortise with openwork and relief decorations, the lanterns are finely
and tenon construction with different front and side design engraved with undulating lotus scrolls and bat motifs. The
is very rare, and reflects the maker’s flexible use of joints. decorative elements show that these lanterns were probably
The straight side stretchers have wide mortises but slightly made for the Qianlong court in the early 18th century,
narrower tenons and insert pins, forming a detachable coinciding the construction time of the Heveningham
structure. The meticulously crafted panels decorated with Hall. It is truly intriguing and amazing to see these two
diagonal wan motifs are slightly higher than normal, and three-century old treasures, one from the East and one
match the openwork top panels featuring the same pattern. from the West, to cross paths. The Chinese furniture from
Resembling a Chinese even roof, the canopy frame is Heveningham Hall will find new homes this Spring. As they
ingeniously adorned with reverted ice-plate edges that merge pass through different hands, I hope that their owners will
seamlessly with the body. The present bed is similar to those truly appreciate their precious qualities; I would love to have
owned by Lu Ming Shi and Dr. Vok. Despite the structural the opportunity to see them one day.

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