Lot 342. A rare and large hardwood painting table 'huazhuo', 17th-18th century. L. 190 / H. 78,5 cm. Sold: €36,000 (Est: €20,000 - €30,000). © 2021 Nagel Auctions

The wide top with rounded edges set with two fine large well-figured floating panels, the frieze formed as a single horizontal rib curving into an elegant loop at the join with each plain cylindrical leg, each leg further secured to the top beneath the joint by two 'flying buttress' sections behind the frieze.

Provenance: From a Dutch private collection, acquired prior to 2007.

Note: The form of this table is very similar to one illustrated in the Kangxi period Chengxuantang block printed edition of the novel Shengyu xiang ji. Cf. Quincy Chuang, ed.: The Chuang Family Bequest of Fine Ming and Qing Furniture in the Shanghai Museum, HK, 1998, pp. 78-79, no. 30. Cf. a similar painting table from the Dr S.Y. Yip collection, sold at Sotheby's HK, 7 Oct 2015, Lot 106. 

Nagel Auctions. Asian Art, December 7, 2021