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General Xiang Hanping (1890-1978) was a native of Hepu, Guangdong province, and was an accomplished
military oficer, political fgure, calligrapher and painter. He was a rare combination of skilled military tactician and
learned scholar and artist. Serving with the KMT during the Second Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945), he fought in
many notable battles, including the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Xuzhou and served in the armed forces
until his retirement in 1946. While serving in the military, he befriended prominent literary fgures such as Hu Shi,
Lin Yutang, Guo Moruo and Liang Shiqian. After his retirement, he was chosen to represent Guangdong province
in the National Assembly in 1948. With the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, General Xiang moved
to Hong Kong where he led a reclusive life until his death in 1978. He focused the remainder of his life to his other
passion, collecting art and the practice of calligraphy. In 1966, he published Xiang Hanping jiangjun caoshu chuji
(First volume of calligraphy works in cursive style by General Xiang Hanping).

Painting desks combine the broad surface area of a recessed-leg painting table with the convenience of
accessible drawer storage, and belongs to a group which includes an eight-drawer zitan painting desk decorated
with carvings of the Masters’ calligraphy and painting illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the
Palace Museum – Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasty (II), Hong Kong, 2002, pp. 140-41, pl. 125, where it is
dated to the Middle Qing dynasty. Like the present desk, the example in the Qing Court Collection features
drawers on the long side, which have been cleverly incorporated into the overall design of the desk and appear
almost seamless when viewed head on or at an oblique angle. See, also, a zitan painting desk, though without
drawers, illustrated by My Humble House, Zitan, the Most Noble Hardwood, Taiwan, 1996, pp. 94-5, where it is
dated to the 18th century.

Large tables are often erroneously labeled painting tables, but to be considered a true painting table, such as
the present table, which measures an extraordinary 31 Ω in. (80 cm.) deep, the surface must be broad enough to
accommodate a large painting and the accoutrements associated with painting or calligraphy, such as ink, ink
stones, brushes, and washers, etc. With its generous surface, it is likely that General Xiang used the present desk
to practice calligraphy, view and study paintings, or host scholarly gatherings.

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