清十八世紀 癭木梅花式香几

the top constructed from a single piece of burlwood shaped in a five-petaled plum blossom, above a constricted waist swelling to a rounded half-lapped apron with scrolling beaded edges, supported on five elegantly curved cabriole legs, each with a vertical furrow down the centre, all secured to a stretcher of conforming shape and five low padded feet, the tight whorl-grain wood varying from reddish brown to dark brown

安思遠，《洪氏所藏木器百圖》，紐約，1996年，頁52-53，編號6

The overall condition is quite good. The top of the stand has a keyhole-shape fill approximately 8 x 4 cm and a square patch 2.5 x 2.5 c. The lower section of one of the shaped aprons has been replaced. (1 cm x 6 cm). Due to the nature of the burlwood, there are multiple cracks and chips; many of which have been consolidated. Three of the five bracket feet supporting the shaped stretcher have been replaced.
"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."

中國家具設計常帶有象徵意義的元素，此香几便是帶有特色的一例。

梅花式几面，下踩隨形托泥，鼓腿彭牙，三彎腿，與較高的一種香几甚為相似。面板以整木取材，作梅花形，下承五三彎腿，外翻卷雲足。造形以弧線主導，牙板上下襯以直線襯托。

几上五彎腿支撐著器面，單獨時就是五把如意，象徵如意吉祥，優美的線條如一縷輕煙縈繞。腿間的空間遠觀仿如梅瓶，與牙板邊沿的靈芝紋融為一體。暗褐的木色伴隨葡萄般的紋理，仿佛看到了雲煙薰香。北京故宮博物院藏一對同樣飾如意形腿的紫檀凳，見田家青，《清代家具集珍》，頁66-67，圖12。