Vintage Chinese Ming-Style Kang Coffee Table

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Description

The exceptional sample of a vintage Chinese Ming-style Kang desk or low table (炕桌) with three drawers and recessed splayed … Read more The exceptional sample of a vintage Chinese Ming-style Kang desk or low table (炕桌) with three drawers and recessed splayed legs set on the foot bases, the apron and corner spandrels decorated with scroll motif and side panels decorated with large Ruyi pattern, overall including the rear hand-polished to achieve the finest surface and covered with a transprent golden-brown finish to highlight the exceptional grain patterns of the wood, made after museum with completely handmade top-notch craftsmanship, excellent condition with some light wear from the age and minimal use (mainly for display)
Private Lower Manhattan collection, purchased in 1980s in Hong Kong
Yumu (northern elmwood)
75 3/4 in. wide, 18 3/4 in. deep, 19 3/4 in. high

Low desks like this were highly appreciated by the scholars in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), not only for its simple-and-elegant style, but also because the design had been mainly derived from the reading desks made during the pre-Qin periods (before 221 BC). In the later periods of the Chinese history, this type of low desks, chests and tables were mainly used on the Kang beds, a typle of brick-made heatable sleeping platforms largely existed in Northern parts of China. See less