HONG KONG.- China Guardian Hong Kong 5th Anniversary and 2017 Autumn Auctions announced the sales of masterworks from “Wooden Elegance——Classical Furniture from the Collection of Lu Ban Zhuang in Singapore” and “Wisdom & Artistry——Classical Furniture of Ming Style and Works of Art” on 2 October, 2017 at Hall 5BC, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The collection offers a total of over 60 pieces with an estimated value of over HK$ 100 million / US$12.8million.

Mr. Qiao Hao, General Manager, Classical Chinese Furniture commented: “The Classical Furniture to be offered this season will be presented in two sales, namely a themed single-owner sale and a various owner sale, bringing to the market a total of 60 lots. Highlight of the season, the sale of Classical Furniture from the Collection of Lu Ban Zhuang in Singapore is carefully curated to include highly exceptional pieces, while the huanghuali couch-bed from the Hon Ming Collection counts as one of the rarest beauties on the market. We are also delighted to offer exquisite objects from the collections of Gustav Ecké and My Humble House Art Gallery in Taiwan.”

Wisdom & Artistry——Classical Furniture of Ming Style and Works of Art
In the session of Wisdom & Artistry——Classical Furniture of Ming Style and Works of Art, we are proudly present 29 pieces of artwork including The Hon Ming Collection, assembled by Mr Kai Sum Lau, will be led by an extremely rare huanghuali couch bed (luohanchuang) with three screens and hoof feet and other object.

Lot 1051 Ming Dynasty Huanghuali Couch-bed with three screens and hoof feet 206cm×80cm×82.5cm Estimate on Request
The Hon Ming Collection, assembled by Mr Kai Sum Lau, will be led by an extremely rare huanghuali couch bed (luohanchuang) with three screens and hoof feet. The back, arms and the short sides of the frame, as well as the seat and apron are both carved out of single pieces of wood. There are abstract patterns like ghost faces, fox faces and alien faces on the surface which can only be found on the truly exceptional huanghuali wood. The lustrous amber colour and clean, streamlined form render the piece an embodiment of elegance. It is also of a versatile design that enables the back to be installed on either side of the frame, which is undocumented and therefore very likely unique. Such design also illustrates the commonly portrayed pastime of ancient literati who had couch beds placed outdoors so that they could take in the beautiful nature in comfort. A combination of exquisite material, genius design and excellent craftsmanship, this couch bed is the epitome of perfection.

Lot 1054 Late Ming/Early Qing Period Pair of Huanghuali southern official’s hat armchairs 59cm×53cm×116cm Estimate: HK$ 3,500,000-5,500,000/ US$ 448,700-705,000
With an understated splendour, this pair of southern official’s hat armchair with broad back splats stands as an epitome of simple and timeless beauty. Made out of choice huanghuali wood with refined workmanship, they are elegant in form and perfect in proportions. All members are plain and rounded on the outside, and sculpted in fluid curves to accentuate the beauty of the timbre, a quality that is highlighted by the desirable natural graining on the S-shaped back splat. The top rail with headrest is pipe-joined to the stiles which extend through the seat frame continuing as back legs. The soft seat as well as the armrests with slight outward curves provide extra comfort. Below the seat frame on the front and sides are plain aprons decorated only with beaded edges. The legs are joined by low stretchers on the front and back and higher ones on the sides. Such pair of chairs promises to bring a touch of stateliness to any interior.

Lot 1056 Late Ming/Early Qing Period Pair of Huanghuali armchairs with Shou character 68cm×49cm×101cm Estimate: HK$ 5,000,000-8,000,000/ US$ 641,000-1,025,600
This pair of huanghuali horseshoe armchair from the collection of My Humble House Art Gallery features carefully selected superb timber with attractive patterns. Well preserved matching pairs as such are certainly a rare occurrence. Carved out of a single piece of wood with beautifully symmetrical graining, the back splats of both chairs are each decorated with a carved circular medallion with an auspicious shou motif. The elegant horseshoe curve extends from the back to the arms and splays outward at both ends with slightly flattened tops. The curvilinear shaped front apron under the seat frame is decorated with fluid and lively tendril carving. The four legs of square section with rounded outside edges are joined by stretchers that are the low in the front and high at the back.

Lot 1061 Late Ming/Early Qing Zitan two-tiered Carring box 31cm×39cm×22.3cm Estimate: HK$ 120,000-220,000/ US$ 15,400-28,200
Made of zitan wood of substantial thickness, distinct graining and a pleasing reddish colour, this two-tiered carry box is constructed on a rectangular base, each short side with an upright spandrel rising from the base frame to meet the handle. Each tier and the cover feature beaded edges around the opening. The entire box can be secure with a fitted old lock.

Lot 1078 A Shoushan Tianhuang Stone Seal with Beast Knob 2.5×4×3cm, 44g Estimate: HK$ 800,000-1,200,000/ US$ 102,600-153,800
This well-patinated tianhuang seal features a fine texture and a radiant yellow colour that has grown richer with the years. The beast on the knob comes to life with rounded lines and a delightful primitive form that is well complimented by the fine tianhuang. The inscription “yuci cizhu chunhui” (imperial gift: a mother’s love like Ci bamboo and sunshine in spring), indicating that the seal was an imperial gift and of great value and rarity.

Lot 1079 Louis Philip ⅠGilt Bronze Mounted Upright Piano in oak The Case by Georges-Alphonse-Bonifacio Monbro The Movement by Pleyel Paris, France 1846 Serial number: 12963 140cm×70cm×122cm Estimate: HK$ 3,600,000-5,600,000 US$ 461,500-717,900
Commissioned by King Louis Philippe I of France in 1845 and played by 19th-Century Polish composer and pianist Frederic Chopin, this Pleyel upright piano is a rare treasure of illustrious provenance. Pleyel is Chopin’s favourite brand of pianos and praised by the legendary musician for its “pure tones that seem to penetrate the fog from afar”. Chopin said it best when he said “There are certain times when I feel more inspired, filled with a strong power that forces me to listen to my inner voice, and when I feel more need than ever for a Pleyel piano." Revered as the best pianos in 19th-Century Europe and even the world, Pleyel remains to date an iconic brand in France.

Wooden Elegance—Classical Furniture from the Collection of Lu Ban Zhuang in Singapore
Last October, we opened our Autumn Sales 2016 with “A Rendezvous in Autumn” at Island Shangri-la Hotel, a specially curated exhibition of Classical furniture from an overseas collection. The featured furniture, from the Collection of Lu Ban Zhuang of Singapore, will be offered this season in a themed auction.

Lot 1020 Early Qing Period Huanghuali painting table 196 ×84 ×88cm Estimate on Request
The two-panel top is set within a wide rectangular frame with exposed tenons on shorter sides, above plain, beaded aprons detailed with key-fret scrolls and cloud-head-shaped spandrels, the whole supported on legs of square section secured by pairs of stretchers of rectangular section.

Painting tables were designed as surface on which to paint. The depth is appropriately proportioned for an artist to stand and freely use the brush. Usually, tables of depth more than sixty centimeters are called hua’an (painting tables), otherwise they are called tiao’an (linear table) or shu’an (book table). The current lot is a large-scale piece for its depth of eighty-four centimeters.

Lot 1010 Qianlong Reign of Qing Period Large Zitan stands (a pair) 86.5 ×51 ×51cm 309 ×51 ×8cm Estimate: HK$ 6,800,000-9,800,000/ US$ 871,800-1,256,400
As a symbol of imperial power, the dragon motif reached its zenith during the Ming and Qing dynasties and was ubiquitous whether in objects and utensils, costumes and accessories, or screens and thrones. Its five-clawed variations were reserved exclusively for emperors to manifest their supremacy and can be found in openwork in the stands of the present table. Each of the two stands is decorated with eight five-clawed dragons carved in openwork, totalling 16 for the whole piece. The overall sumptuous character is achieved by employing to perfection various carving techniques including relief, openwork, full relief and intaglio. Impeccable in both material and craftsmanship, this trestle table is exemplary of furniture datable to the Qianlong reign.

Unsparing in time and effort, the stands have been intricately carved on not just one but on both sides. The outside is decorated with a pair of five-clawed dragons, wrapped in clouds, spiralling up from cliffs bombarded by tumultuous waters to vie for a flaming pearl. The dragon heads, claws and scales are so meticulous and convincingthat they must have taken those artisans of the imperial workshop a considerable time to carve. To emphasize the momentum of the dragons, the inside is carved with cloud scrolls. While the ingenious design, delicate craftsmanship and florid decoration are unmistakably characteristic of Qing furniture, the insides, which could have been left undecorated for thriftiness, bespeak the opulence of the Qing court and in turn the prosperity of the Qing empire during the Qianlong reign.

The stands with round corners are made of zitan wood with an oxhair grain, which has long been highly prized for its hardness, oiliness and glossiness. Although the aprons and spandrels are ornate, the pyramid-mitred, mortised and tenoned frames are relatively simple for visual contrast and balance. Supported by the stands is a dark, heavy and evenly grained tieli top measuring 8 cm thick. The beaded frames of the stands rest on a continuous floor stretcher standing on low feet decorated with angular spirals.

Lot 1009 Qianlong Reign of Qing Period Zitan waisted rectangular stool 51cm×45cm×34cm Estimate: HK$ 1,200,000-2,200,000/ US$153,800-282,100
The rectangular floating panel framed by a foliate frame with notched corners, supported on a waist and a beaded apron detailed with cloud scrolls in low relief, the elegantly bowed legs join the top in pyramid joins, following the vertical line of the indented corners from the seat and curving down to the tapered high-hoofed feet, further accentuated by the continuous beaded frame on the edges from the apron to the tips of the feet, all supported by a square stretcher on bracket ruyishaped feet.

Lot 1003 Late Ming/Early Qing Period Huanghuali square meditation stool 48cm×84cm×84cm Estimate: HK$ 580,000-880,000/ US$ 74,400-112,800
Made of high quality huanghuali wood with fine grain, plain and undecorated, with rattan cane seat set within the square mitered frame supported by a pair of dovetailed transverse stretchers, above a short, plain and straight aprons, the whole raised on legs of square section joined by humpback stretchers.

Lot 1004 Late Ming/Early Qing Period Huanghuali armchair with four protruding ends 97cm×59.5cm×43.5cm Estimate: HK$ 680,000-980,000/ US$ 87,200-125,600
Well proportioned, with rounded and protruding top rail supported on an elegantly C-curved back splat and two slender stiles which continue to form the rear legs, the curved arms supported on tapered, curved vertical stiles and extend beyond the curved front posts set back from the corners of the rectangular frame enclosing two floating panels, the sides of the seat frame with a central groove carved in the middle, all above plain beaded apron and spandrels to the front and side, the legs of square section joined by square-sectioned stretchers and a footrest with a plain shaped apron, legs and footrest with similar decoration as the sides of the seat frame, the feet reinforced by metal mounts. The groove carved in the sides of the seat frame as well as the legs and footrest symbolize round heaven and square earth in Chinese traditional culture.

Lot 1014 Early Qing Period Pair of Zitan square-corner cabinets 84cm×68cm×34cm Estimate: HK$ 1,500,000-2,500,000 US$ 192,300-320,500
Of stout, wide proportions, with attractively figured zitan panels set within straight frames on each side, the doors fitted flush and opening to reveal the shelved interior with two drawers, the interior covered with cloth and lacquered, four S-shaped spandrels dovetailed into the legs to join with each other creating an elegant profile, the whole raised on thick legs of square section, mounted with metal rectangular lockplates, bell-shaped pulls and hinges, the clay and lacquer remained intact.