A BLACK LACQUER AND INSET BONE KANG TABLE

Ming dynasty, 17th century
China

length: 104 cm
width: 62.3 cm
height: 27.4 cm

The table’s top rests upon a narrow waist above a scalloped apron – supported by four square section cabriole legs on small square feet. The decorative technique is distinctive with incised sections of bone inset into black lacquer on a wooden base.

The top depicts officials and their attendants on an open terrace beside a lake, with mountains, rocks and trees in the landscape beyond. The scene is framed with a band of single flower and fruit sprigs that include plum blossom, citrus fruit, lotus flower and pomegranate. The waist is inlaid with emblems that symbolise the attributes of a scholar and ‘the precious things’ (signs of good fortune), and the apron and legs are adorned with dragons and flaming pearls. The table’s contours are outlined with a band of bone that highlights the overall shape of the furniture and frames the designs.

similar example
‘Chinese Ivories from the Shang to the Qing’, Oriental Ceramic Society and The British Museum – figure 282 illustrates the same technique.