Page 23 - Bonhams, The H Collection, Classical Chinese Furniture, May 13, 2021 London

humpback stretchers is arranged at the far ends, like a pause backgammon pieces. This type of ‘chess’ table integrates
(calligraphic term: dun bi) of a long brushstroke that reinforces the functions of Go, Chess, and Backgammon popular in
the stroke. The horse-hoof feet are also dignified and steady, ancient China. It was used by the literati in their recreational
echoing the overall shape. The present lot can be said to be a time. It is of very high quality. The games table is in very good
representative masterpiece of Ming dynasty furniture. condition. It is made into a waisted square table with inverted
horse hoof legs. The waist is made of one piece of wood.
The huanghuali low-back continuous yokeback armchair, 17th The middle of each side has a drawer that can accommodate
century, (Lot 24) is also another important piece of furniture. ‘chess’ pieces and counters as well as cards. What makes
It came from Grave Wu Bruce, an important antique furniture the table even more special however, is that the legs are not
collector and dealer in Hong Kong, and later belonged to joined by long stretchers, but by a cloud-pattern support
the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture in Renaissance, made with two C-shapes, embellished with further C-scrolls.
California. It went to auction along with the museum’s other The lines are smooth and elegant, and the shape is ethereal.
furniture at Christie’s New York, 19 September 1996, lot 36. This type of support is rarely seen. The decorative effect is
The shape of the chair is similar to one huanghuali high- greater than the structural purpose, but it gives a sense of
armed ‘southern official’s hat’ chair, in a set of four, included in balance and stability.
Wang Shixiang’s An Appreciation of Ming Furniture, no.49, in
the Summer Palace (fig.2). At first glance, there are not many There are also two huanghuali ‘official’s hat’ chairs with
differences, but after looking at it more carefully, the present similar shapes but different sizes and interests. They were
lot has some special details worth noting. Firstly, the use of sold by two important antique furniture dealers. The two
the material exudes wealth: the curved ‘goose-neck’ rails and chairs are of four-head style with flat ends, and the seat
front legs are made of one piece of wood, and the armrests surface is similar in length and width, but Lot 37 is 115 cm
are all carved from larger materials into soft arcs. Obviously, high. Lot 37, a huanghuali yokeback armchair, 17th century,
at the time of production they were not limited by the cost is from Grace Wu Bruce in Hong Kong. It is a medium-to-
of the materials. The design, including the double stretchers large chair and its tall and straight nature exudes an aura of
on the sides of the legs also prove this point. Secondly, the gravity. The interesting thing to note is that the crest-rail is
present lot exhibits some characteristics of early furniture. rather thick and elegantly flowing like water, the central part
The design of double stretchers is more common in early is slightly hollowed to more comfortable rest the head and
lacquered wooden chairs from the north, but extremely rare the two ends are raised high. This is what some experts call
in huanghuali chairs. The influence of northern lacquered the ‘bull-head’ style. The other ‘official’s hat’ chair (Lot 50)
furniture is also reflected in the decoration of the back rest. is 110.5cm high. This huanghuali yokeback armchair, 17th
The upper part of the back rest is pierced to make a ruyi-head century, was handled by the British dealer Nicholas Grindley.
cloud, but the outline of the cloud changes to form curling It is the regular size for a chair of this type. It has a thick and
leaves and a bud. The abstract ruyi-head cloud transforming solid appearance but with gentle and soothing curves. For
into a real flower bud encapsulates the vitality and freedom example, the backrest, the upper part of the hind legs, the
of the present lot which reveals the influence of northern armrests, the goose neck, and the supports are all curved,
lacquered furniture. Similarly, the lower part of the back rest and the whole piece is dignified. These two chairs show that
is also carved into a leaf-like shape. The uncarved burlwood Ming furniture even though under the same standards of
central panel is also magnificent and forms a striking construction can result in subtle differences.
contrast with the upper and lower carved sections. These
are the various signs that show the excellence of this chair. Finally, I will introduce a pair of huanghuali rectangular waisted
The influence of lacquered wood furniture decoration and corner-leg stools, 17th/18th century (Lot 49). This pair was
modelling features seems to imply that it was made earlier originally sold by Lai’s antiques, an important early antique
than similar examples. dealer in Hong Kong. They are each 60cm long, 59cm wide
and 52cm high. The use of the materials is generous and
Huanghuali chess tables of the Ming and Qing dynasties solid. The edge of the ice plate on the surface is very narrow
are also extremely rare, and those that exist can be counted and the waist quite deep, a typical elegant feature of Ming
on one’s fingers. Lot 66, a huanghuali square games table, dynasty furniture. Although the surface of the apron appears
18th century, was originally from Hei Hung-Lu, an important plain, the outer edge is slightly rounded. The feet are of
antique dealer in Hong Kong. The warm and honey-like wood square section the horse-hoof feet maintain a dignified form.
used to make the square table with movable tabletop is The humpback stretchers too, at the ends where they join
itself exquisite. When one opens the tabletop, one can see a with the legs, curve, and thicken again slightly increasing the
rectangular recess, framed with delicate boxwood, forming elegance of the piece. The piece can be described a stroke of
an elegant contrast with the maroon huanghuali on the genius, standing out from other square stools.
outer edge. The boxwood frame has two circular apertures
to store the games pieces. There is a folding double- In conclusion, The H Collection is remarkable in the rarity and
sided ‘chess’ board in the centre of the tabletop, for both quality of the Ming and early Qing dynasty furniture forming the
encirclement ‘chess’ (weiqi) or go, and also ‘elephant’ chess. collection and stands as a testament to the timeless elegance
The folded ‘chess’-board can be removed further to reveal a of Ming furniture and the discerning eye of the collector.
backgammon board with drawers on both sides for placing

THE H COLLECTION | 21