Lot 237. A fine and rare huanghuali recessed-leg long table, qiaotouan, 17th-18th century; 178cm (70in) long x 83cm (32 5/8in) high x 40.5cm (15 7/8in) deep. Estimate 50 000 € - 80 000 €. Photo Fabrice Gousset.

The table defined by a rectangular top terminating in everted flanges on the shorter ends, supported on a frame formed by the long beaded-edge apron decorated with ruyi spandrels, the rectangular legs housing the long aprons decorated with interlocking geometric designs, the legs and feet framing an inset reticulated panel carved with a cusped cartouche decorated with designs of sinuous chilong writhing amidst vaporous clouds.

Provenance: Jean-Pierre Rousset, Paris (1936-2021), acquired in the 1980's.

Note: In Chinese households of the late Ming and Qing dynasties, tables of such impressive proportions with upturned ends demonstrated the high status and wealth of their owners. Tables of this type are discussed in Wen Zhenheng's (1585-1645) influential Treatise on Superfluous Things (Zhang wu zhi), the late 17th century guide to refined taste. In his treatise Wen recommended that such tables were placed underneath a painting and even suggested that 'one may place such things as fantastic rocks, seasonal flowers, or miniature tray-landscapes; but avoid garish objects such as red lacquerware'. Although Wen warned against the use of excessive carving, the lively openwork panels on this table are balanced by the simplicity of the apron and spandrels.

See a closely related huanghuali side-table, late 16th/early 17th century (188cm long), illustrated by G.Wu Bruce, The Dr. S.Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, pp.74-75, no.25. Compare also a huanghuali altar table of larger proportions and with more exuberantly carved spandrels, from the Florence and Herbert Irving collection, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and see also a much larger example in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, illustrated by S.Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Berkeley, 2001, pp.237-238, pls.14.16 and 14.17.

See a related but smaller huanghuali recessed-leg altar table, 18th century, which was sold at at Sotheby's London, 8 November 2017, lot 98. See also a related larger huanghuali altar table, circa 17th century, formerly with Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, Paris, which was sold at Christie's Paris, 12 December 2019, lot 32.

Dans les maisons chinoises de la fin des Ming et de la dynastie Qing, les tables aux dimensions aussi impressionnantes et aux extrémités relevées en queues d'oiseaux montraient le statut et la richesse de leurs propriétaires. Les tables de ce genre sont mentionnées dans l'important livre de Wen Zhenheng (1585-1645), Traité des choses superflues (Zhang wu zhi), le guide de la vie élégante de la fin du XVIIe siècle. Dans son traité, Wen recommande de placer ces tables sous une peinture et suggère même d'y 'poser des pierres étranges, fleurs de saisons ou paysages miniatures en pot, mais (d') éviter les objets voyants comme les laques cinabres'. Bien que Wen déconseille l'usage excessif de décor sculpté, les panneaux ajourés au décor animé de cette table sont équilibrés par la simplicité du tablier et de ses pendants.

Voir un exemple très comparable de table en huanghuali, fin XVIe/début XVIIe siècle (188 cm de long), illustrée dans G. Wu Bruce, The Dr. S.Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1991, pp.74-75, no.25. Comparer aussi avec une table d'autel en huanghuali de plus grandes dimensions et aux pendants (du tablier) décorés de façon plus exubérante de la collection Florence and Herbert Irving, au Metropolitan Museum of Art de New York, voir enfin un exemple beaucoup plus grand au Minneapolis Institute of Art, illustré dans S. Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Berkeley, 2001, pp. 237-238, ill. 14.16 et 14.17.

Voir une table d'autel en huanghuali aux pieds en retrait, comparable mais plus petite, XVIIIe siècle, vendue chez Sotheby's Londres, le 8 novembre 2017, lot 98. Voir encore une table d'autel en huanghuali comparable mais plus grande, vers le XVIIe siècle, anciennement de la Compagnie de la Chine et des Indes, Paris, vendue chez Christie's Paris, le 12 décembre 2019, lot 32.

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Paris. The Robert and Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting - Part 2. Paris, 26 october 2022