A VERY RARE CHINESE IMPERIAL CARVED AND PAINTED RED AND BLACK LACQUER, MOTHER-OF-PEARL-INSET KANG TABLE, KANGJI

The present kang table appears to be part of a group of low rectangular carved red lacquer kang tables that are associated with Imperial production during the 18th century. While slight variations on the form exist, these tables are generally found in closely related shapes and with similar decoration. See, for example, the carved red lacquer kang table of similar form, dated to the Qianlong period, in the Qing Court collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, p. 151, no. 134. (Fig.1) The illustrated table is carved in openwork on the sides with ruyi heads, and features similar inward scrolling feet, cusped apron and corner spandrels. Both the example in the Palace Museum and the present table have a plain lacquered top and heavily carved sides, suggesting that while there may be small differences in the group, the two were likely produced in the Palace workshops for Imperial use. Another carved red lacquer kang table, also with a painted top, but raised on more elaborate base stretchers was sold at Christie’s New York, 22-23 March 2012, lot 1995.