A huanghuali corner-leg square table (fangzhuo), 17th century. Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the two-board floating panel set flush in a wide molded-edge frame of typical miter, mortise and tenon construction, above a narrow waist and beaded apron with an elegant and delicate foliate carving at each corner, all supported on sturdy legs of square section joined by beaded humpback stretchers and terminating in hoof feet. Height 33 1/2  in., 85.1 cm; Width 34 5/8  in., 88 cm; Depth 34 5/8  in., 88 cm

Property from the Zihanxuan collection

Provenance: Acquired from a private family collection in Canada in the 1980s.

Bibliography: Philip Mak, "Chinese Wooden Tables", Arts of Asia, vol. 41, no. 2, March - April 2011, pp. 91-106, pl. 10.

Note: The square table is one of the most classic and versatile of forms within the vernacular of Chinese furniture. The reinforcing stretchers are cleverly positioned high up the leg to comfortably accommodate seating. The table proportions are perfectly designed for a variety of uses such as dining, writing and playing games such as weiqi. The size of the present table is among the larger examples which according to Wang Shixiang are referred to as baxianzhuo 'Eight Immortals tables'. For further discussion on this form and a similar example see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1990, pl. B. 51. 

Sotheby's. Monochrome, New York, 15 sept. 2015