Lot 68. An important and exceptionally rare imperial polychrome lacquer 'thirty-two-dragons' guqin table, Late Ming Dynasty (first half 17th century); 101.2cm (39 7/8in) wide x 73.5cm (28 15/16in) high x 34.3cm (13 1/2in) deep; the inset brick, 64cm wide x 20.3cm deep x 6.2cm high (2). Estimate upon request. Sold for €1,482,375. Courtesy Bonhams.

The top inset in the centre with a highly polished grey pottery rectangular brick moulded with a pair of five-clawed dragons pursuing the flaming pearl of wisdom amidst cloud scrolls and above crashing waves centred around a mountain framed by a continuous lotus scroll, all framed by the black-ground lacquered top decorated on each side with a panel of mirror-image five-clawed dragon pursuing the flaming pearl reserved on a diaper ground, all framed by a border enclosing on each long side with a cartouche a full-faced five-clawed dragon around the pearl, flanked by a pair of striding five-clawed dragons pursuing pearls, the shorter sides similarly decorated with full-faced dragons, all alternating with the Eight Precious Objects, the top with slanted corners raised above the beaded waist decorated with foliate floral and cloud scrolls, the shaped apron with a central foliate terminal, each side with openwork sections carved and gilt-lacquered with the Auspicious Objects flanked on the long sides by five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls above waves and amidst clouds and the short sides with cloud scrolls and waves, the shaped legs similarly decorated on each external side with two five-clawed dragons.

Bonhams. The Robert and Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting - Part 1. Paris, 25 october 2022.