Library Table

Original Language Title黃花梨木大書案明清之際

CultureChinese

Datelate 16th-early 17th century; with later modifications

MediumHuanghuali wood

DimensionsOverall: 33 3/4 × 71 × 30 inches (85.73 × 180.34 × 76.2 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust

Object number64-4/5

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

East Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionA huanghuali painting table of large proportions with a typical mitred, mortise-and-tenon frame top with a three-board flush floating panel with three transverse stretchers, the inset legs of square section with a convex outer face with a central double incense stick beading with a bead to each outer edge, are tenoned into the underside of the opt frame and are cut to receive the long aprons, each made in two butt-joined sections with cloud-shaped spandrels with a lower beaded edge terminating in a leaf and "tongue" motif. The end aprons are mitred and dovetailed to the long aprons and are also finished with a raised bead along the lower edge. Tenoned between the legs, in end elevation, is a high square section stretcher, surmounted by a plain pierced panel, and with a large openwork panel with a large cloud motif surmounted by a bat. A slab foot is raised on low bracket feet with a ruyi motif carved on the end grain. Reconstructed from 17th-century elements.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

Large sturdy tables like this were used in private libraries and studies for reading books, painting, or writing calligraphy—who knows what masterpiece of calligraphy or painting this table may have witnessed! If you look at the legs of the table, you will see a large curved panel supported by floral scrolls. This is the lingzhi fungus, a symbol of immortality. On this is carved an upside down bat. The Chinese word for “bat”-- “fu” -- sounds almost the same as “good fortune” and the word for “upside down” is similar to “arrive.” An upside down bat therefore represents the hope that good fortune will arrive.

Provenance

Mrs. and Mrs. James P. Speer II;

Purchased from Mrs. and Mrs. James P. Speer II by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1964.

Published References

Laurence Sickman, “Simplicity and Subtlety: The Decorative Arts in China” Apollo, special issue for the Asian art collection in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Vol. XCVII, no. 133 (March 1973), 61, no. 6 (repro.).

Gustav Ecke, “Chinese Classic Furniture,” Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society 1977-78, (London: 1979), pl. 7b (repro.).

S. Handler, “The Korean and Chinese Furniture Tradition,” Korean Culture, vol. 5, no. 2 (June 1984), 14, pl. 13 (repro.).

Roger Ward and Patricia J. Fidler, eds., The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A Handbook of the Collection (New York: Hudson Hills Press, in association with Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 1993), 345 (repro.).

Deborah Emont Scott, ed., The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A Handbook of the Collection, 7th ed. (Kansas City, MO: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2008), 364, no. 251 (repro.).

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.