A Long Rectangular Huanghuali Painting Table Ming Dynasty, 16th Century

well proportioned, the framed, flush, three matching board floating panel supported by three transverse braces on the underside, joined to four 'S'-shaped braces on the corners of the underside creating an elegant profile, the top resting on a recessed plain apron, all supported on four slighly splayed tapering legs terminating in horsehoof feet, the tight-grain wood with a russet patina

Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, et al., Essence of Style: Chinese Furniture of the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, San Francisco, 1998, cat. no. 22.

Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture: One Hundred Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, New York, 1996, pp. 158-159, no. 58.

The table is in good condition. The frame has been tightened around the three board panel. Two of the four members comprising the frame are veneered. There are filled stabilizing repairs where the braces are joined to the legs indicating that the braces may be replacements. And all four feet have added "hoof" elements.
"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."

In addition to the extraordinarily wide top, this table is distinguished by the striking upright curved supports rising in an arc from each of the legs. The braces join to the upper part of the inner corner of a leg, providing extra stability to the form.  A person leaning on the table would put significant pressure on the legs, making this extra brace important. The sharply incurved hoof feet are a feature generally identified with furniture from the 16th or early 17th centuries. This corner-leg table is one of the largest and most finely proportioned examples known.

A woodblock illustration taken from the Wanli edition (1573-1619) of the novel Shuihu zhuan / The Water Margin depicts a similarly sized painting table, reproduced in Wang Shixiang and Curtis Evarts, Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chinese Art Foundation, San Francisco, 1995, p. 60.