A CHINESE HUANGHUALI DEMI-LUNE GAMING TABLE.

Qing Dynasty, Qianlong period, circa 1730-1740.

The edges of the two-leaf top with half-round moulding, and the double-gate back legs with integral wood hinges to support the flaps, the top of the flap plain, opening to reveal a circular European embroidered fabric lining within a wide border with four equally spaced deep oval wells with beaded edges, divided by a pattern of raised and incised Rococo leaves borne on stems forming a regular pattern of interconnected circling branches, the solid apron similarly patterned, above a beaded edge terminating in ruyi lappets above the rounded slightly tapering legs ending in pad feet with fanged dragon-heads with wavy manes, 76.5 x 85.5cm diameter.

清乾隆約一七三零到一七四零 黃花梨半月牌桌

This table is illustrative of interactions between China and the West in the 18th Century and would likely have been commissioned based on an English design, however its use of huanghuali wood and the incorporation of the stylistic flourishes including ruyi-head details and dragon heads places it centrally with the traditions of Chinese furniture making.

A closely related example with mother-of-pearl embellishment to the scrolling floral decoration formerly in the collection of Edmund Robert Parker (1877 – 1951) at Saltram, Devon is now in the care of the National Trust, stock number NT 871426. A related example of more simplistic form is illustrated in Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade: Paintings, Furnishings and Exotic Curiosities, 1991, p. 236, colour plate 87; and was sold at Bonhams 21 March 2022, New York, Chinese Works of Art Including The Richard Milhender Export Furniture Collection, lot 149 sold USD 56,562.50 including premium. This form of table was described by Crossman as 'of stylish and very rare form.'

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