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High waist incense table, Huanghuali wood and pudding stone Late Ming (1573–1644)
Estimate
4,500,000 - 4,500,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
The top of standard mitre, mortise, and tenon construction with a single pudding stone top, resting probably on a ledge and supported by two transverse braces underneath. The edge of the frame is thumb-moulded. The recessed waist and beaded-edged straight apron, carved from one piece of wood, are half-lapped onto, and mortised and tenoned into the legs, which are doublelock tenoned into the top and end in well-drawn hoof feet. The beaded edge on the apron continues down the legs and feet.
Exhibited
Hong Kong, 1991, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, “The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture”
London, 1999, Institute of Contemporary Art, “Grace Wu Bruce presents Ming Furniture from the Collection of Dr. S. Y. Yip”
Hong Kong, 2012, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, “Grace Wu Bruce presents a choice selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr S Y Yip collections”
London, 1999, Institute of Contemporary Art, “Grace Wu Bruce presents Ming Furniture from the Collection of Dr. S. Y. Yip”
Hong Kong, 2012, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, “Grace Wu Bruce presents a choice selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr S Y Yip collections”
Literature
Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood: The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, pp. 54 – 55
Grace Wu Bruce, Grace Wu Bruce presents a choice selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr S Y Yip collections, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 12 – 13
Grace Wu Bruce, Grace Wu Bruce presents a choice selection of Ming Furniture from the Dr S Y Yip collections, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 12 – 13
Catalogue Note
Similar examples:
Wang Shixiang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chicago and San Francisco, 1995, pp. 90 - 91, for an example that is deeper and with burl wood top
Grace Wu Bruce, A Choice Collection Chinese Ming Furniture, Hong Kong, 2011, pp. 46 – 49, for an example of similar design but with huanghuali wood top
Wang Shixiang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chicago and San Francisco, 1995, pp. 90 - 91, for an example that is deeper and with burl wood top
Grace Wu Bruce, A Choice Collection Chinese Ming Furniture, Hong Kong, 2011, pp. 46 – 49, for an example of similar design but with huanghuali wood top
This piece has such a simple form that it relies entirely on the delicacy of its proportions for its beauty. Its retrained framework sets off perfectly the complex and colourful pattern of the pudding stone panel inset in the frame top.
Tables of this design without stretchers between the legs belong to a type classic to Ming furniture design as frequently depicted in contemporary paintings and woodblock print illustrations. However, surviving examples are rare.
This table is probably an incense table, xiangji, which was recorded in the 16th century publication Eight Discourses on the Art of Living Zunsheng Bajian by Gao Lian, used for displaying a rock sculpture, fragrant penzai miniature plant, flower vase or an incense burner.