Page 174 - Sothebys Important Chinese Art 09/13/17

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PROPERTY OF A LADY

A LARGE ‘HUANGHUALI’ CORNER-LEG
PAINTING TABLE (HUAZHUO)
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

of high rectangular form, the top of standard miter, mortise
and tenon construction with three boards, tongue-and-grooved
into the frame, the oating panel supported by four dovetailed
stretchers underneath, the crisp right angle frame continuing
to the apron comprised of oblong openwork panels secured
by a straight beaded-edge stretcher reinforced with fretwork
spandrels, all raised on four square-section slender, beaded
legs terminating in inward-facing hoof feet
Height 35 in., 88.9 cm; Width 83¼ in., 212 cm; Depth 30 in.,
76.2 cm

PROVENANCE

Chan’s Antique and Furniture Co., New York, 1996.

Painting tables are distinguished by their large size, particularly
the depth, creating a generous surface for free, unimpeded
movement by the artist. The painting table was the most
important piece of furniture in the scholar’s studio and placed
in a central position in the room. Wang Shixiang, discussing
the form notes that “the popular arrangement for all tables
was with one end against a window where abundant natural
light made writing, painting or reading a more pleasant
exercise. In this position, the opposite side could also be used
by an assistant to hold the sheet of a paper or for some other
purpose. It was also common to place these tables in a room,
away from walls, with or without chairs,” Connoisseurship of
Chinese Furniture, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 68. Evolving from
a low and small portable form seen in Five Dynasties’ paintings,
this grand, impressive table was designed to be functional for
painting but also aesthetically admirable with a bare surface or
used for display.

Corner-Leg tables of this size are very rare. For related
examples see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese
Furniture, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1990, pl. B108; Robert H.
Ellsworth, Chinese Hardwood Furniture in Hawaiian Collections,
Honolulu, Academy of Arts, 1982, pl. 34 and Grace Wu Bruce,
Ming Furniture Selections from Hong Kong & London Gallery,
Winter 2000-2001, cat. no. 6. A painting table of similar
dimensions from the Collection of Dr. S. Y. Yip sold in our
Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 106 and another of
this type sold in these rooms, 18th Mach 2014, lot 394 and a
corner-leg table with fretwork spandrels, from the Arthur M.
Sackler Collections sold in these rooms, 16th September 2009,
lot 19. Additionally a related corner-leg table from the Frederic
Mueller Collection sold at Christie’s New York, 1st June 1990,
lot 417.

Ⴚ$ 200,000-300,000

Chan’s Antique and Furniture Co 1996

172 SOTHEBY’S