Page 156 - Sotheby's Arts of Asia Paris, June 16, 2022

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A RARE PAIR OF RED-GROUND ‘QIANGJIN’ AND 清十八世紀 創金填漆鳯凰花卉紋几一對
‘TIANQI’ LACQUER ‘KANG’ TABLES
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
each with a mitered rectangular top supported on ruyi-
shaped recessed legs joint at the base by a transverse
stretcher, applied overall with a rich crimson-red lacquer
finely incised, painted and gilt on the top with flowers and
birds, and further flowers on the side and legs
(2)
40 x 125 x 50 cm, 15¾ by 49¼ by 19¾ in.
Rare paire de tables en laque ‘qiangjin’ et ‘tianqi’ à décor
d’oiseaux et fleurs, dynastie Qing, XVIIIe siècle

25 000-35 000€

The techniques of qiangjin (‘etched gold’), where the lines p. 142, fig. 155. Wang Shixiang observes that forms and
of a design are incised and filled with gold, and tianqi (‘filled- designs of Chinese furniture did not change significantly over
in’), where coloured lacquer was applied to enhance details time, often following earlier prototypes, see Wang Shixiang,
and contrast against the ground, create a sense of opulence ‘Development of Furniture Design and Construction from the
and enchantment to the design. These techniques were Song and the Ming’, Chinese Furniture. Selected Articles from
particularly popular during the Ming dynasty and continued Orientations 1984-1999, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 42.
into the Qing, with many pieces bearing Qianlong marks.
Compare also a qiangjin and tianqi red-lacquer ‘dragon’ table
Related red-ground lacquer table fashioned in the same sold in these rooms, 3 November 2018, lot 26. For tables of
technique, also with cusped apron and shaped ‘sword’ legs similar decoration using the qiangjin and tianqi techniques,
extending to supports at the feet, include the renown Wanli see a larger example with a foliate design sold in our New
marked table in the Palace Museum Beijing, illustrated in York rooms, 26th March 1996, lot 281; and a taller table
Classics of the Forbidden City. Classics of the Forbidden city. decorated with peonies and scrollwork sold in our London
Imperial Furniture of Ming & Qing Dynasties, Beijing, 2008, rooms, 19th September 1975, lot 138.

Detail of lot Tables ‘in situ’ on a kang in the forbidden city, Beijing.

154 SOTHEBY’S COMPLETE CATALOGUING AVAILABLE AT SOTHEBYS.COM/PF2207