Lot 520. A pair of huanghuali 'crackled-ice' low-back rose chairs, Qing dynasty; 58.2 by 44.2 by 83 cm and 58 by 44.5 by 83.3 cm. Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000 HKD. Lot sold: 2,268,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Property From an Old Hong Kong Family Collection.

Lot 529. A huanghuali recessed-leg table, qiaotou'an, Qing dynasty; 85.5 by 129 by 44.5 cm. Estimate: 380,000 - 500,000 HKD. Lot sold: 1,159,200 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 524. A huanghuali yokeback armchair, sichutou guanmaoyi, 17th - 18th century; 104 by 53 by 43.5 cm. Estimate: 250,000 - 300,000 HKD. Lot sold: 882,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Property From an Old Hong Kong Family Collection.

Lot 525. A huanghuali side table, pingtou'an, Qing dynasty; 124 by 46 by 81 cm. Estimate: 300,000 - 500,000 HKD. Lot sold: 630,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Property From an Old Hong Kong Family Collection

Provenance: Chan Shing Kee, Hong Kong.

Note: Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese wooden architecture, the enduring elegance of this classical table is evident in its constant popularity through the generations with no changes made other than variations in dimensions to suit the household. Tables of this form and of this size were designed as surfaces on which to paint, practise calligraphy or perhaps play the qin. The height, depth and absence of high stretchers would allow an artist adequate space and the ability to stand or sit and use the brush on a paper or silk surface. 

For other tables of this form, see Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1990, pl. B81 and a painting table illustrated in Grace Wu Bruce, Dreams of Chu Tan Chamber and the Romance with Huanghuali Wood, The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, cat. no. 22 and sold in our Hong Kong rooms 7th October 2015, lot 130. See also another similar example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Craig Clunas, Chinese Furniture, Victoria and Albert Museum Far Eastern Series, London, 1988, p. 46.

Lot 528. A zitan and hardwood carved 'three friends' table, Qing dynasty, 19th century; 146.2 by 55.1 by 82.8 cm. Estimate: 80,000 - 120,000 HKD. Lot sold: 201,600 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Provenance: Collection of Hearst Castle, San Simeon, by repute.

Sotheby's. CHINA / 5000 YEARS, Hong Kong, 26 May 2021