A hongmu hardstone-inset table

19th century

19th century
The mottled hardstone panel of pink tone, supported on four cabriole legs issuing from beast-heads and terminating with claw feet, the elaborate frieze carved with shaped panels enclosing Chinese opera scenes, all surrounded by leafy tendrils, the wood with an attractive dark patina. 142cm (56in) wide x 82cm (32 1/4in) deep x 83.5cm (32 7/8in) high.

十九世紀 紅木鏤雕人物故事圖嵌大理石桌

The taste for floral and rococo style carving in furniture appears to have been particularly popular within the Qing Court. European-style floral scroll work can also be seen on the apron of a red sandalwood chair in the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, vol.2, Hong Kong, 2002, pl.55

A hongmu console table inset with a marble top, 19th century, carved with similar reticulated designs as the current table, was sold at Bonhams London, 7 November 2029, lot 165.

See a related pair of hongmu table with marble inset, 19th century, which was sold at Christie's London, 8 November 2011, lot 291.