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@kirby13 Nice set of nesting table!
So, after a quick Google, ironwood is ‘Tieli mu’… seems I’ve only ever learned the Chinese name.
Now burl can be tricked to identify, but I’ve never seen nesting tables made from tielimu (ironwood), nor a burl version of tielimu.
Brett is pretty darn sharp on wood, so perhaps he’ll chime in on how he came to that description.
For me, these are very nice rosewood nesting tables (huali) with burl (probably also rosewood).
As I mentioned before, some rosewood has a strong grain and is easily confused with Huanghuali. But my table top is not burl, but rather it has a strong grain that other woods only achieves in burl form.
Compare the structural wood of your tables that lack a strong grain with that of my drum table that has the color and grain throughout.
Onvery old Huanghuali, the grain is sometimes obscured by the patina, but upon close inspection, you can still see the distinction.
Let me add….
Tielimu is generally a grey brown color with a very distinct straight grain, sometimes confused with jichimu (chicken wing wood) that has a similar color and distinct grain, but has zig zag grain like the way a chicken wing looks.
I have been staring at your stool daily since you first posted it.
How confident are you that the stool you posted is indeed Huanghuali and not burl wood?
Have you shown it to say Christies or Sotheby's for an opinion and or someone who deals specifically in Chinese wood furniture?
Perhaps if @Brettm pops in I would like to read his thoughts.
Mark
@imperialfinegems I ran it by an acquaintance regarding the drum form because I could not find drum tables, only drum stools/stands.
He is a well known author and museum curator, and world renowned expert on Chinese furniture.
No problem regarding wood identification. However, drum table are unknown in early designs, so a 20th c. piece.
Consequently, the piece is too modern for Christie’s (circa 1970) and I don’t have the import information to show it came into the USA before 2000.
This example (not mine) shows comparable grain and color, but is of the period… not a 20th c example like mine.
Just came across this. You might be interested.
https://doyle.com/auctions/21as03-asian-works-art/catalogue/93-chinese-hualimu-drum-table
A nice piece.
I was told by a Chinese furniture dealer that most “huali” furniture sold 1990 forward were actually made of African yellow sandalwood (African huali). Not sure if it’s true.
@william It will be interesting to see the results of this upcoming auction!
It is very similar in style to my table, but a few key differences that you may have noticed (setting aside wood type).
The most significant difference is the recessed plank top (vs. my table that the top planks are flush to the outer top frame.
I’m not sure exactly when Chinese furniture makers started putting a recessed space between the top frame and the top planks, but I believe that started post 1990’s.
Regarding greeno107’a piece, it’s a nice piece as well. I like it.
But don’t know how much you paid - knowing the price is what you pay and the value is what you get.
A few points (I could be wrong like anybody else…anyway it’s a forum for discussion and members will come to a consensus view): the top is not one piece of wood which is exceptional (a flag) for a stool; there are no trim on the edge of the legs, meaning the maker was sloppy and didnt do what he supposed to do; size seems bigger than any traditional stool. Also seems to me it’s African yellow sandalwood made in 90’s.
For Chinese furniture, the stool was designed for viewing not actual usage as most Chinese furnitures are square and rectangle shape. Nevertheless, I think this is a nice piece for visual pleasure.
@pactolus I had mentioned earlier (I think) that the drum form is not found as a table in early periods, only as stools. So, I agree with you that this design as a table is for aesthetic purposes, not functional, and 20th c.
But I’m not sure I agree that the absence of trim, which I believe you mean a beaded edge on the legs and/or table top, is indicative of the maker being sloppy. If I’ve misunderstood your meaning, please advise.
On my table, aside from the careful carving of the “nail heads” that would hold the drum top on, a stylized archaic dragon has been carved onto the center of the five supports. So, there seems to be no lack of skill to add subtle detail.
Furthermore, Ming pieces often lack any trim (beaded edged). Again, this table is more modern, but it’s design is based on Ming stools.
For comparison, here is a kang table that sold for $245,000 USD.
Like I said I like the piece.
Like everybody else, we appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese furniture. I, particularly, enjoy its
rhythmic lines - the escatecy of Chinese Art.
Beautiful! I was wondering about the relatively spindly proportion of the legs until I saw you refer to it later in the thread as a table. What are the dimensions?
Here is one of a pair of drum stools I have, which I've always assumed to be hongmu. One of the things I love about these stools (and round Chinese stools in general, I think) is their five-legged structure, somewhat counter-intuitive for our 20th/21st century minds, which tend to assume a circle divided into 6 segments to be the most natural.
Regards,
John
@greeno107 Just came across these and wasn't sure if you had encountered them in your researching: https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-5406298
@johnshoe Not specifically this pair, but I did look at a number of barrel form stools. Note the top is inset...there's about a 1/2" gap that was made between the round outer from and the inner pannel... an intentional recess in the top.
I've always thought that was a trait much later than 1900's, but this sale was held by the Interior Design department, not the Chinese department, so perhaps they were being generous in their description.
The sale price reflects the high dollar spending of wealthy patrons...I don't think I could get anywhere close to that price on my own for that pair of stools.
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The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art
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Bonhams are international auctioneers of fine Chinese and Japanese art. We specialise in rare Imperial and Export Chinese ceramics and works of art, as well as Japanese ceramics, fine and decorative works of art from the Neolithic Period to the 20th century. View on map
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Asian Art Bonhams. Work. 22 Queen St.