Small table

Object Details

• Label

  Due to the heavy use and inherent fragility of small, portable pieces of lacquered furniture, it is rare today to find examples from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The design seen here consists of scrollwork carved into a lacquer surface built up by hundreds of layers of lacquer, which are applied in alternating bands of red and black. The technique was developed in China and is called tixi, (better known in the West by the Japanese name guri). Classic tixi designs consist of trilobed "sword pommel" scrolls, which are featured on the center top of the small table, and wavy, or grasslike, scrolls seen as border designs.

  This small table had several potential uses. If set on top of a full size table, it may have functioned as a stand to elevate and offset a vase or incense burner. If used on a large seating platform or bed, it may have served as a miniature table to hold cups and sundry items. The size of the table is larger than most decorative stands, but smaller than many platforms (or kang) tables, which underscores the intention for this costly item to have multiple functions.

  Its handsome sculptural form corresponds to full-scale furniture of the Ming dynasty, thus serving as a reminder that although the Ming was the apogee of classical hardwood furniture, lacquer examples were also prized.

• Provenance

  ?-to 1972

  Sammy Yu Kuan Lee, President of Oriental House, Ltd., Tokyo, and Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Company, Ltd., Hong Kong [1]

  1972-1987

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), New York, NY, purchased from Sammy Yu Kuan Lee, President of Oriental House, Ltd., Tokyo, and Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Company, Ltd., Hong Kong [2]

  Unidentified owner, method of transfer unknown [3]

  1994-1996

  Estate of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler, New York, NY [4]

  1996-1997

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, New York, NY, transferred from the Estate of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [5]

  From 1997

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation

  Notes:

  [1] See paper file from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, copy in object file.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] The object was on loan to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery between 1987 and 1997.

  [4] See note 1.

  [5] See note 1.

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  The Arts of China (November 18, 1990 to September 7, 2014)

  Pavilions and Immortal Mountains: Chinese Decorative Art and Paintings (September 28, 1987 to February 28, 1988)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Sammy Yu Kuan Lee 李汝寬

  Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Company, Ltd.

  Oriental House LTD

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

  Arthur M. Sackler Foundation (founded 1965)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation

• Type

  Furniture and Furnishing

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1600s, 1400s

• Name

  Lee, Sammy Yu Kuan, Sackler, Arthur M., Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, Oriental House LTD, Sammy Y. Lee & Wangs Company, Ltd.

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Lacquer, Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644)

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Furniture, Furnishings