Lot 3611. An exceedingly rare and unusually large huanghuali floor stand, Late Ming-Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century; 67 1/4 in. (170.8 cm.) high x 43 3/4 in. (111.1 cm.) wide x 19 5/8 in. (49.8 cm.) deep. Estimate HKD 3,000,000 - HKD 5,000,000. Price Realized HKD 9,620,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011. 

With crest rail terminating in upswept lingzhi heads above openwork spandrels flanking the upper section, inset with reticulated panels, the design continuing down either tall side and repeated along the bottom, framing four carved spandrels and the inset metal loop fitting, all above a further openwork waist, set into the base frame fitted with angled aprons carved with ruyi head-shaped scrolls and set into the thick shoe feet. 

Note: The present stand was most probably purpose built for the suspension of display objects such as a ritual bronze bell, bianzhong, or a jade musical chime, bianqing. A related example suspending sixteen jade chimes is illustrated in Secret World of the Forbidden City, Splendors from China's Imperial Palace, The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002, Santa Ana, pp. 32-33.

Its construction with upturned terminals on either side of the toprail is in a format very similar to clothes racks dated to the late 16th/early 17th century, such as the huanghuali example formerly from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 1996, lot 58, and now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institue of Arts.