十七世紀 黃花梨螭龍紋擋板翹頭案

the single board top within mitered frame terminating in everted flanges, above a waisted straight beaded apron with shaped spandrels delicately carved with foliate scrolls, the square sectioned legs, with rounded fronts, beaded edges terminating in slightly splayed feet, joined by square sectioned stretchers enclosing a rectangular openwork beaded panel of confronting chilong, the underside with five transverse stretchers 

There are two patch repairs to one side of the frame on the top panel; one approximately 134 cm and the other approximately 23 cm. There is another patch repair to the side of the frame approximately 58 cm long. One everted flange with a patch repair approximately 29 cm long and the other with a similar patch repair approximately 23 cm long. The top boards with wear and staining. Two feet with patch repairs and two with filled repairs to splits. There has been general consolidation of the joints although now loose in some places and small fill repairs. The surface with small nicks, dents and wear all to be expected from use and age.
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 form of the present table is described in Wen Zhenheng's Treatise on Superfluous Things, the late seventeenth century guide to good taste, as a bizhuo or side table to be placed against a wall and used for display and set with items of religious or ceremonial significance. Although the author also decried the use of excessive carving, the lively openwork of the panels is effectively balanced by the long board top and elegant simplicity of the apron and spandrels.  

Examples of qiaotouan with splayed feet are in several museums such as the Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City and the Metropolitan Museum, New York. This form is discussed and illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1989, nos. B86-7. A very similar table of tielimu is illustrated in Hu Desheng, A Treasury of Ming & Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. I, Beijing, 2007, fig. 306.