A 'huanghuali', 'huali' and 'huamu' two-drawer desk, 19th / 20th century | 十九 / 二十世紀 黃花梨拼花梨木嵌癭木書桌

A 'huanghuali', 'huali' and 'huamu' two-drawer desk
19th / 20th century
十九 / 二十世紀 黃花梨拼花梨木嵌癭木書桌

Height 32⅘ in., 83.3 cm; Width 39⅛ in., 99.4 cm; Depth 20⅛ in., 51.1 cm

Condition Report:
All four feet with spliced-on additions to achieve the horseshoe-form. Overall with shrinkage and splitting to the joineries with expected consolidation. Scrolling corner spandrels possibly later replaced. Overall with scattered patch repairs to the frames and stretchers. Visible consolidation with softwood blocks from the inside. Expected wear to the surface and feet with nicks along the edges and scattered filled repairs.

Catalogue Note:
Oliver Edmund Clubb (1901-1989), born in South Park, Minnesota, was a 20th century American diplomat and historian, and was considered one of the 'China Hands'. He was stationed in Beijing and served as the Consul General in 1949 and left the city in the following year.

Provenance:
Collection of Oliver Edmund (1901-1989) and Mariann Clubb, acquired in Beijing in the late 1940s.