Page 120 - Bonhams, The H Collection, Classical Chinese Furniture, May 13, 2021 London

29 TP Y
A RARE HUANGHUALI FLAT-TOP RECESSED-LEG TABLE,
PINGTOU’AN
17th century
The long single-panel top set within a wide frame with ‘ice-plate’ edge,
supported on robust recessed legs of round section joined by a plain
apron and rounded rectangular spandrels, the sides with double oval-
section stretchers joining the front and back legs, the precious wood of
warm honey tone throughout.
171cm (67 1/2in) long x 83cm (32 6/8in) high x 53cm (20 1/8in) deep.

£70,000 - 90,000
CNY630,000 - 810,000

十七世紀 黃花梨平頭案

Provenance:
An important European private collection

來源：
歐洲重要私人收藏

The simple yet elegant form of the present table is one of the most 頂面標準榫卯攢邊框鑲獨板面心，牙頭光素，腿子截面圓形，以兩根
successful and recognisable designs of classical Chinese furniture, one 橫棖連接，是中國古典家具體系中最為經典的條案式樣。
that best epitomises a Chinese scholar’s fondness for unassuming and
functional furniture. 明《魯班經匠家鏡》中將平頭案稱為「一字桌式」，蓋因平直的
案形與漢字「一」相似。見柯律格著，《Chinese Furniture》，倫
The particularly fine grain and the rich honey-colour tone of the 敦，1988年，頁47。平頭案線條平實簡約又富多樣性，可作為畫
huanghuali timber, and the elegantly-finished surfaces of the present lot, 案、條案、各式承具實用，常於一戶正廳中靠牆擺放，用以展示古
show that it would have been made for a high-rank official or scholar. 玩字畫，從而成為主人身份地位的象徵。見S.Handler著，《Austere
Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture》，伯克利，2001年，頁
The basic proportions were adaptable to make large and smaller 224-238。雖然平頭案作為最廣為使用的桌案式樣，普遍見於古代中
tables, benches and stools. This iconic Ming design is referred to in the 國各個階層，但觀本例木材之緻密、工藝之考究，且面心採用獨板製
‘Classic of Lu Ban’ Lu Ban Jing, a carpentry manual dating to the early 作，即便在當時也相當昂貴，應非尋常人家之用具。
Ming dynasty, as a ‘Character One Table’ due to its similarity in profile
to the single horizontal stroke of the Chinese character for the number 參考一件十七世紀黃花梨平頭案，見王世襄著，《明式家具研究》
one; see C.Clunas, Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, p.47. 卷二，香港，1990年，頁96，編號B81。另有一張維多利亞和阿爾
伯特博物館館藏十七世紀黃花梨畫案，收錄於柯律格著，《Chinese
Incorporating a single-panel top of lustrous huanghuali, which would Furniture》，倫敦，1988年，頁46。倫敦佳士得於2015年11月10日
have been precious even during the 17th century, the present table is 所售一件十七世紀黃花梨平頭案，拍品編號380，與本例相似，可資
an example of the narrow version of this particular form. It would have 比對。
been used in domestic as well as religious contexts and would most
likely have been placed against a wall to display ornamental objects
or support ceremonial offerings. For a further discussion regarding
the importance of Chinese side tables and altar tables, see S.Handler,
Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Berkeley, 2001,
pp.224-238.

For a similar huanghuali recessed-leg table, 17th century, see Wang
Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1990,
vol.2, p.96, no.B81. See also a huanghuali painting table, 17th
century, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated by C.Clunas,
Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, p.46. Another similar example of a
huanghuali pingtou’an, 17th century, was sold at Christie’s London,
10 November 2015, lot 380.

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