A Carved Black Lacquer Table Top Warring States Period

the curved slab carved with two rectangular integral ends detailed with scrolls resembling the eyes of mythical beasts, the top surface further incised with two panels framed by clustered geometric motifs evoking stylised taotie masks along the edges and down the centre, the underside with six mortises at each end for fitting upright legs with tenons and four further tenons in the slab for secondary legs fitted diagonally to provide reinforcement, lacquered in a deep brownish-black

Layered Beauty: The Baoyizhai Collection of Chinese Lacquer, Art Museum, Institute of Chinese Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2010, cat. no. 1.

The table top is in remarkable condition. Despite the shrinkage to the board and wrinkled surface due to changes in temperature and humidity over time, the lacquer remains in very good condition. There are small patches of minor retouch and stabilization to the lacquer, but mostly appears to be all original. The carving remains in very good condition with only a few expected minor chips along the edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Surviving early lacquer furniture pieces are extremely rare, although a closely related example, in the collection of the Cultural Relics Bureau of Henan province is illustrated in Zhongguo qiqi quanji, vol. 1, Fujian, pl. 134. The decoration on the Henan table is fashioned in the same technique and style as that seen on the present piece, suggesting that the two may come from the same region, i.e. present-day Henan province, which during the Warring States period covered much of the Wei and Chu states.  See a further example of a table with a similar top published in Chinese Lacquer, Part I, Taipei, 1982, p. 201, fig. 10.3

Compare other lacquered furniture items, similarly attributed to the Warring States period, included ibid., pls. 132, 133, 135 and 136, from tombs excavated in Hunan, Hubei and Henan provinces respectively.