A HONGMU SQUARE TABLE (FANGZHUO) EARLY QING DYNASTY

the top comprising four boards set within a molded frame above plain, shaped and beaded aprons, on legs of square section, joined by four S-scrolled braces pegged into the two transverse stretchers

Sotheby's New York, 10th October 1987, lot 428.
Collection of Marvin Sadik (1932-2013), Maine, former director of Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Maine and the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC.

The central boards with slight shrinkage and some mild splitting and there are some short splits from the corner along one side of the frame. There is a split to one of the spandrelled aprons due to previous consolidation with glue. There are several filled repairs to splits along all four legs.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The slender legs of tall square tables are usually reinforced with humpback stretchers but, according to Wang Shixiang, the horizontal line detracts from the elegance of the long legs. A way to maintain the verticality is the use of either giant's arm braces, the arched shape being visible or smaller scrolled braces as seen on the present table. For an illustrated example and further discussion see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1990, no. B53.