A carved huanghuali and hardwood pedestal desk, 20th century

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION, SYDNEY

the wood with attractive grain and colour, the rectangular flush panelled top within a broad mitred frame, set at the front with four drawers, each carved with pairs of archaic-style dragons in relief, the sides and back similarly carved with a frieze of rectangular recessed panels enclosing further dragons in relief, supported on side pedestals each with two similarly decorated drawers over an open compartment with slatted base, the outer sides carved in relief with a rectangular panel of a bat carrying a qing flanked by a pair of dragons, fitted with chased baitong scroll-shaped handles
84 cm high, 163 cm wide, 71 cm deep

• Lot Sold $35,000 (Hammer Price)
• $42,700 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

Provenance

Sotheby's. Sydney, 25 October 2016, lot 145 illustrated
Private Collection, Sydney

Compare with a huanghuali pedestal desk, sold Sotheby's, New York, 17 September 2016, lot 979; and a huanghuali partners' pedestal desk, sold Christie's, New York, 29 March 2006, lot 271

Condition Report

The repolished desk generally presents well.
Left pillar - top front outside corner with small piece missing and traces of glue, a back inside small corner piece missing and traces of glue to the join, the back outside left corner with a small piece missing from the corner join and the top side re glued.
Right pillar - with crack along the length of the top panel, slight glue to the right top corner joins, shrinkage and separation to the right hand corner at the base of the top.
All the drawer bases with gaps to the side joins in the bottom panel and frame, the frieze drawers with a crack along one side from back join of drawer, the other with a gap in the corner join at the rear and small piece missing; another with a crack across the back side panel near the base of the drawer and piece missing from the join; another has some cracks from the side joins.
One pillar drawer with gaps in the side join to the front on one side and to both back corners and a small piece missing from the back right corner; another has gaps in the joins of the back of drawer panel and cracks; another with crack across the back panel from the joins; another has the bottom edge of the back panel missing with traces of glue.
The top section has gaps to the bottom corner joins, slight separation to the top surface, a small indentation to the top frame approx 1.5 cm long. Minor scuffing and kickwear to stretchers at the front. Handles possibly replaced.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's Australia is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Saleroom Notices regarding this sale. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT,ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS.