Lot 17 A pair of carved zitan waisted corner-leg tables

A pair of carved zitan waisted corner-leg tables

Qing Dynasty, probably Qianlong period (1735-1796)

EUR 20,000

€20,000 - €40,000

Each 88x109x36.5 cm

The purple wooden table: The middle panel shows a small gap and some superficial scratches. The frame has been reassembled in the past, resulting in visible glue residue in the corners, mainly along the seams. All carved elements are still present and well preserved. The overall construction is solid.
The satin wooden table: One of the short sides shows a small crack, and discolouration due to sticker. Overall, the tabletop shows some scratching. Furthermore, some remnants of glue are visible.

Each table has a top panel set within a square frame with a beaded edge, above a narrow plain waist. The aprons and spandrels are carved with phoenixes amidst scrolling clouds, all raised on thick, square-section legs with beaded edges, terminating in scroll-form feet. The wood of one table has an attractive grain and warm satin tone, while the other is of a deep purple colour.
Large-scale furniture constructed as matching pairs in zitan is exceptionally rare, reflecting the considerable expense associated with its production. By the early Qing period, zitan had become one of the most costly timbers available, owing to the severe depletion of mature trees caused by extensive logging during the Ming Dynasty. This scarcity was exacerbated by the species' exceptionally slow growth rate, as zitan trees require several centuries to reach a size suitable for furniture production.
Although the species was found in the southern Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guangdong, and Guangxi, a substantial proportion of the timber used for high-quality furniture was imported from Southeast Asia. As a precious imported material, zitan was subject to strict regulation within the imperial workshops, where its acquisition, allocation, and use were closely monitored and carefully controlled.
**Footnote**
*Please note: prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell as well as certain hardwoods such as huanghuali and zitan. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country outside of the EU.
以下内容由AI翻译：
【名称】
清乾隆紫檀方角腿桌（一对）
【年代】
清乾隆时期（1735-1796）
【描述】
每张桌子的顶板嵌入一个带珠边的方形框架中，位于窄腰之上。围板和斜撑雕刻有凤凰和卷云图案，整体由厚实的方形截面腿支撑，腿脚呈卷曲状，边缘有珠饰。一张桌子的木材具有吸引人的纹理和温暖的缎子色调，而另一张则为深紫色。
用紫檀制作成对的大尺寸家具极为罕见，反映了其生产成本之高。到了清早期，由于明代大量砍伐导致成熟树木严重减少，紫檀已成为最昂贵的木材之一。这种稀缺性因紫檀树生长速度极慢而加剧，紫檀树需要几个世纪才能长到适合制作家具的大小。
虽然紫檀树在中国南部的云南、广东和广西省份都有发现，但高质量家具所用的大部分木材是从东南亚进口的。作为珍贵的进口材料，紫檀在宫廷作坊中受到严格监管，其采购、分配和使用都受到密切监控和严格控制。
**注**
*请注意：潜在买家应注意，多个国家禁止进口含有濒危物种材料的物品，包括但不限于珊瑚、象牙和玳瑁，以及某些硬木如黄花梨和紫檀。因此，如果打算将此拍品进口到欧盟以外的其他国家，潜在买家应在竞拍前熟悉相关海关规定。
【品相】
紫色木质桌子：中间面板有小缝隙和一些表面划痕。框架在过去曾被重新组装，导致角落处可见胶水残留，主要沿接缝处。所有雕刻元素仍然存在且保存完好。整体结构稳固。
缎子木质桌子：一侧短边有一小裂缝，由于贴纸导致变色。整体桌面有一些划痕。此外，可见一些胶水残留。