A RARE HUANGHUALI FLAT-TOP RECESSED-LEG TABLE, PINGTOUAN 17th century

A RARE HUANGHUALI FLAT-TOP RECESSED-LEG TABLE, PINGTOU'AN 17th century The long single-panel top set within a wide frame with 'ice-plate' edge, supported on robust recessed legs of round section joined by a plain apron and rounded rectangular spandrels, the sides with double oval-section stretchers joining the front and back legs, the precious wood of warm honey tone throughout. 171cm (67 1/2in) long x 83cm (32 6/8in) high x 53cm (20 1/8in) deep. Footnotes: 十七世紀 黃花梨平頭案 Provenance: an important European private collection, and thence by descent 來源：歐洲重要私人收藏，並由後人保存迄今 The simple yet elegant form of the present table is one of the most successful and recognisable designs of classical Chinese furniture, one that best epitomises a Chinese scholar's fondness for unassuming and functional furniture. The particularly fine grain and the rich honey-colour tone of the huanghuali timber, and the elegantly-finished surfaces of the present lot, show that it would have been made for a high-rank official or scholar. The basic proportions were adaptable to make large and smaller tables, benches and stools. This iconic Ming design is referred to in the 'Classic of Lu Ban' Lu Ban Jing , a carpentry manual dating to the early Ming dynasty, as a 'Character One Table' due to its similarity in profile to the single horizontal stroke of the Chinese character for the number one; see C.Clunas, Chinese Furniture , London, 1988, p.47. Incorporating a single-panel top of lustrous huanghuali , which would have been precious even during the 17th century, the present table is an example of the narrow version of this particular form. It would have been used in domestic as well as religious contexts and would most likely have been placed against a wall to display ornamental objects or support ceremonial offerings. For a further discussion regarding the importance of Chinese side tables and altar tables, see S.Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture , Berkeley, 2001, pp.224-238. For a similar huanghuali recessed-leg table, 17th century, see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture , Hong Kong, 1990, vol.2, p.96, no.B81. See also a huanghuali painting table, 17th century, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated by C.Clunas, Chinese Furniture , London, 1988, p.46. Another similar example of a huanghuali pingtou'an , 17th century, was sold at Christie's London, 10 November 2015, lot 380; a further example, 17th/18th century, was sold at Bonhams New York, 20 March 2023, lot 84. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: TP Y TP For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date. Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the EU, see clause 13. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com