작품 상세

A Chinese carved zitan incense stand, Fangxiangji qing dynasty, 19th century possibly Imperial workshops or Imperial tribute from Guangzhou, the square top with molded edge, over a recessed waist, carved in low relief with bat and braided cord motif, over carved spandrels, each depicting a pair of sinuous five-clawed dragons contesting a flaming pearl among cloud scrolls, raised on square legs with molded edges, joined by box stretcher, above ''hoof'' feet. H: 34 1/2 in., 87.6 cm; W: 17 in., 43.2 cm PROVENANCE: Note: The present incense stand incorporates many elements which point to its possibly having been produced in the Muzuo (wood workshop) of the Zaobanchu (Imperial workshops), or produced as tribute for the court by the woodworkers of Guangzhou. The timber is dense and heavy, with a deep purplish brown/black tone, and the various elements are substantial, yet elegant in form, with a pleasing juxtoposition between the elaborate dragon and cloud-carved skirt spandrels and bat and cord-carved waist, and the moldings and legs, unadorned but for a fine beaded edge to the legs and stretchers. This contrast between elaborate carving and uncarved surfaces is seen in 18th and 19th century works such as the pair of late 18th/19th century square tables, fangzuo, from the collection of Y. C. Chen, sold at Christie''s Hong Kong, May 29, 2013, lot 1953. The use of five-clawed dragons as a design element is perhaps the most compelling argument for an imperial connection. For a more elaborate table, densely carved with sinuous dragons among cloud scrolls, see the 19th century side table sold at Christie''s Hong Kong, June 3, 2015, lot 3280, where it is noted to be similar to a table made for the wedding of the Tongzhi Emperor, now in the Kunning Palace, illustrated in ''Ming Qing Guting Jiaju Da Guan'', vol 1, Hong Kong, 2006, p.222, no. 249. For other examples of tables with more restrained carving from the Qing court collection, see a suanzhi square table and a matching long table with reeded legs and frieze, dragon-carved spandrels, ibid #170 and P. 228, #255. see also the more elaborately carved incense stand, p. 283, #330.