A 17th to 18th Century Chinese Huanghuali Low Table(Kangzhuo)
十七至十八世纪中国黄花梨木束腰三弯腿卷草纹炕桌
In contrast to the other tables in this auction, this kangzhuo is in the northern Chinese style, with short legs. This type of table is designed to be used on top of a kang, the traditional brick bed-platform of northern China, which in the winter months can be heated by having a fire lit beneath it to combat the freezing temperatures of the region. This table would have sat atop the kang and been used for dining and daily affairs from a squatting or kneeling position, in contrast to the high tables and chairs used in the south.
This type of table was highly prized by European collectors in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries due to its similarity to the coffee table, and was often used as such in their homes. Indeed, taller Chinese tables sometimes had their legs cut down to meet this demand, making genuine kangzhuo all the more desirable. This example has a carved apron of floral patterns, typical of the type. The legs have the characteristic double-curved cabriole profile often seen in tables of this type, as well as scroll-form carved feet. Although it is a domestic table intended to serve a functional purpose in the home, this example is made of the highly-prized huanghuali wood, as evidenced by its rich colour and beautiful, glossy surface. The patina of antique hardwoods such as these is unmistakable, and marks this item as dating to the seventeenth or eighteenth century, placing it in the late Ming or mid-Qing dynasties.
三弯腿是中国传统家具造型中的典型样式，展现了明清家具柔美的造型，同时在美学上也占据了很重要的艺术价值。中国最早的三弯腿的雏形出现在魏晋南北朝时期，经过不断的发展与完善，到了明清时期其制作工艺达到顶峰。这种结构既具备了加固、支撑和实用的功能，又起到了美化造型的作用。尤其是三弯腿线脚的走势，散发出富于流动感的美妙韵律，体现了中国历史上的家具装饰美学的审美追求，具有划时代的意义。三弯腿，又称外翻马蹄腿，整个脚型成S形弯曲，由腿部从束腰处向外膨出，然后再向内收，收到下端，又向外兜转，形成三道弯，以形取名为“三弯腿”。三弯腿弯曲度比较大，所以对木材的要求甚高，而黄花梨木性稳定，不变形、不易开裂、不弯曲，有一定的韧性，非常适合制作三弯腿，其他木材则较难胜任。北地严寒，家有火炕，炕不仅是晚上睡觉之必须，也是白天与亲朋好友会晤小酌的场所，炕桌应运而生。此黄花梨炕桌造型及雕饰均为典型的明代式样，比例优美纤秀。冰盘沿下接束腰，牙板上剔地雕卷草纹，是晚明时期流行的家具装饰题材。牙腿相交之处，浮雕对称的如意云纹，三弯腿足部也做成如意云纹状，与肩部纹饰遥相呼应。无论是收藏还是实用，此明代炕桌都不失为一件上乘佳作。
H295 L950 D650mm
参阅: 2010.11.21 中国嘉德 lot 2626, 成交价: 人民币 448,000 ( NZ$ 98,500 )/ 2012.10.29 中国嘉德 lot 3891, 成交价:人民币 552,000 （NZ$ 121,000) 2018.11.20 中国嘉德 lot 4142，估价：900,000~1200,000 (NZ$ 180,000 - 240,000)
