A HUANGHUALI AND HUAMU ARCHAISTIC RECESSED-LEG TABLE (PINGTOUAN) 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

the top of standard miter, mortise and tenon frame construction with a single board of nanmu burl wood, tongue-and-grooved, floating panel, supported underside by three transverse stretchers, the edge of the frame molded, tapering inward to a beaded edge, the splayed legs of rectangular 'melon' section with concave beading continuing to the highly stylized scrolling-foliate spandrels and joined on the short sides by double stretchers

Charles Wong, Ever Arts Gallery, Hong Kong.

The table is in overall good condition. There is some shrinkage of the burlwood top panel. The top panel has some staining - dark rings possibly ink from the base of brushpots. There are a few minor patch repairs to the spandrels, and general consolidation of joinery. The surface with expected wear.
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.

Several examples of this classic form of huanghuali with huamu panels are known in both public and private collections.  A similar table of different dimensions from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Piccus is illustrated in Curtis Evarts, 'Classical Chinese Furniture in the Piccus Collection', Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture Society, Autumn 1992, pp. 20-21, pls. 22-22a and was sold at Christie's New York, 18th September 1997, lot 15.  A huanguali and huamu corner-leg table with similar spandrels is illustrated in Robert D. Jacobsen and Nicholas Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Museum of Arts, Minneapolis, 1999, pl. 34. For further discussion on this form see Sarah Handler, 'Side Tables, a Surface for Treasures and the Gods', Orientations, May 1996, pp. 32-41 where the author discusses the use of the tables for displaying both domestic and religious objects.