Lot 12 A huanghuali 'folding leg' kang table, late Ming Dynasty

A huanghuali 'folding leg' kang table, late Ming Dynasty

17th century

EUR 30,000

€30,000 - €50,000

27x76x52 cm (when unfolded)

The mitred-corner tabletop with a large central panel exhibits two deeper surface scratches along the right long side. The table surface shows discoloration across its entirety; in some areas this is minimal, while in others it interrupts the natural grain of the wood. Similar discoloration is present on all four legs, likely caused by negligent packaging.
All four aprons display visible outlines indicating where additional decoration may have been planned. The folding-leg mechanism remains functional, though one of the locking pins is missing. The two wooden clamps that secure the legs when folded have been replaced.
The underside of the table has been left intact and remains fully visible. Overall, the folding table is in original and functional condition, making it an exceptionally rare object.

The rectangular framed top, supported on cabriole legs, each terminating in a slender leaf cradling a ball, resting on trapezoid pads carved with ruyi cloudheads, the shaped aprons boldly carved in low relief, the folding legs originally resting in spaces on the inside of the long aprons, the wood of rich honey-brown color.
Folding furniture appears to have experienced a rise in popularity during the Ming Dynasty, owing to its practical advantages of portability and efficient storage. These qualities made such furnishings particularly well suited to the spatial and functional demands of elite and domestic interiors alike. However, the very characteristics that enabled their mobility (lightweight, compact, and often delicate construction) also rendered them especially vulnerable to wear and breakage.  As a result, relatively few examples of these folding tables from this period have survived to the present day.
Please compare the present lot to an equivalent folding table, sold at Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 6 October 2015, lot 103.
**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】
十七世纪黄花梨折叠腿炕桌
【年代】
十七世纪
【描述】
长方形框架桌面，由弧形腿支撑，每条腿末端为细叶托球，置于雕刻如意云头的梯形垫上。围板大胆地以浅浮雕装饰，折叠腿原本放置在长围板内侧的空间中，木材呈丰富的蜜棕色。
折叠家具在明代似乎因其实用性而变得流行，因其便于携带和高效存储的优点。这些特点使这类家具特别适合精英阶层和家庭内部的空间和功能需求。然而，使其便于移动的特点（轻便、紧凑且通常结构脆弱）也使其特别容易磨损和损坏。因此，从这一时期保存至今的折叠桌相对较少。
请将此拍品与苏富比香港2015年10月6日拍卖会第103号拍品进行比较。
**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，有意将此拍品进口到欧盟以外国家的潜在买家应在竞拍前熟悉相关海关规定。
【品相】
拼角桌面中央有一大块面板，右侧长边有两条较深的表面划痕。桌面整体显示变色；有些区域变色轻微，而在其他区域则打断了木材的自然纹理。四条腿上也有类似的变色，可能是由于包装不当造成的。
所有四个围板都显示出可能计划添加装饰的可见轮廓。折叠腿机制仍然可以使用，但其中一个锁定销缺失。用于固定折叠腿的两个木夹已被更换。
桌子底部保持完整且完全可见。总体而言，这张折叠桌处于原始且可使用的状态，是一件极为罕见的物品。