An 18th Century Chinese Huanghuali Recessed-Leg Altar Table(Qiaotou'an)
十八世纪中国黄花梨木雕灵芝纹翘头案（画案）
This is a fine example of a qiaotou'an, or raised end table. The graceful upward curve of the ends of the table-top exists to prevent scrolls from rolling off while they are being read or displayed, but the table could also have been used to show off antiques, art objects or flowers in an elegant Qing dynasty household. The decorative openwork panels between the legs show a simple pattern of floral scrollwork, contrasting with the angular carved forms on the apron. A close look at the ends of the table-top reveals the exposed tenons of the joint that fixes the curved portion to the rest of the table; this kind of visible carpentry is very common in antique Chinese furniture and provides some insight into the methods by which it was made, mostly using hand tools such as bow saws, drills, planes and small axes.
This table, as well as several others in this auction, is made of huanghuali, sometimes translated in English as fragrant rosewood. The Chinese word huang actually refers specifically to the material's yellow colour, a result of the natural aging and oxidisation process of huali wood. Huali is a type of tropical hardwood sourced by Ming and Qing dynasty carpenters from Hainan and Vietnam, although the Hainanese variety was considered preferable, as it comes from slower-growing trees and is consequently denser and more resistant to cracks and boring insects. The wood is very hard and close-grained and is thus suitable for crisp, precise carving, as is evident on this altar table.
自古以来，翘头案一直都是一件极其风雅的器物，具有端庄稳重的特点，常被文人雅士用于书牍文案和装饰摆设，充分展现了雅而尚礼、文不失秀的审美境界。尤其是明代的翘头案更是洒脱自然、线条流畅，具有极高的艺术价值。作为中式家居不可或缺的经典存在，翘头案受到了广大明式家具收藏家们的青睐。此黄花梨翘头案乃传世精品，其用材厚重，案面采用黄花梨独板，上部牙板装饰，板上浮雕回纹，古朴典雅。两端嵌入造型优美的翘头，简洁大方又显得灵动飞扬。挡板用整料透雕灵芝纹，雕工圆劲有力。灵芝纹在明代的家具装饰中颇为流行。此案用材豪放，加以刀法简洁细腻的雕刻工艺，实为存世罕见之品。不仅体现了中国明代家具制作工艺的精湛，更体现出打造者追求文人心境的匠心独具。它也或是那个时代的文人参与家具制作的一件例证，具有非常丰富的历史人文气息。
H850 L1200 D385mm
