RARE ANGLO-CHINESE HUANGHUALI DEMILUNE TRIPLE FOLDOVER TEA AND GAMES TABLE
MID 18TH CENTURY
£1,800
Auction: 26 June 2013 at 12:00 BST
Description
the demilune top opening to a plain top and again to a playing surface, the baize now lacking, carved with foliate scrolls and gaming wells, above a deep frieze carved with foliate scrolls, raised on straight cabriole legs ending in pad feet carved wtih dragon masks and ruyi
Dimensions
84cm wide, 74cm high, 82cm deep (open)
Footnote
Provenance:
This table has had an incredible peripatetic life. Originating in the Far East in the 18th century, it at some point made the long journey from China to Britain. In the 19th century it was given to the Hon. Mrs Hay-Mackenzie of Cromartie, the present owner's great-great -grandmother by Sir James Gibson-Craig of Riccarton, and descended in the family. In 1934 when the present owner's father entered the Colonial Service, the table was sent out to South Africa and eventually Botswana [then Bechuanaland] where it was used in 1965 to sign the documents leading to that country's independence. Returned to Scotland, the table passed to the present owner.
Note:
A near identical pair of tables removed from Lydney Park, Gloucestershire, sold Chorley's, 2nd September 2011, lot 956