十七世紀 杏木方材畫案

the long rectangular top of standard mitre, mortise and tenon construction, above a simple apron with ruyi-shaped spandrels, all raised on four square-sectioned legs joined by horizontal stretchers, the wood of a subdued matt-brown tone

Please note that this is Palu wood and not huanghuali as stated in the catalogue. There is some shrinkage to the centre plank to the top and an area of splitting and loss to the back left side of the top. There is slight damage to the right side of the left spandrel and a 47cm crack to the back right leg.
"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."

本案造工精美，腿足內縮，雲紋牙頭，屬畫案造型，案高、深度均符合站立作畫。此類案經長期使用，案面多有墨漬、焦痕，本品亦然。據萬曆年版本《魯班經》述，此類案多稱作「一字桌」，因桌形如「一」字而得名。魯班先師，傳為土木工匠祖師，《魯班經》記載家具製作。

畫案多帶帶側棖，如本案般前後帶橫棖者則一般較小而無矮老，可參考一例，出土自山東朱檀（1370-89）墓，圖見王世襄，《明式家具研究》（英文版），香港，1990年，卷2，圖版B38；美國薩利姆Peabody Essex Museum收藏一榆木例，牙條刻紋飾，圖見Nancy Berliner，《Chinese Furniture. Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999》，香港，1999年，頁216，圖版 12。

北京故宮博物院收藏一黃花梨雲頭紋條案，兩側腿間雙橫棖，圖見《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集·明清家具（上）》，香港，2002年，圖版109，同錄一檀香木例，圖版112；倫敦維多利亞與艾伯特博物館亦藏一例，尺寸較小，載於Craig Clunas，《Chinese Furniture》，倫敦， 1988年，圖版30；另一例圖載王世襄，出處同上，圖版114。