17th/18th century|The wide top with rounded edges set with two fine large well-figured floating panels, the frieze formed as a single horizontal rib curving into an elegant loop at the join with each plain cylindrical leg, each leg further secured to the top beneath the joint by two 'flying buttress' sections behind the frieze. 193.5cm (in) long x 86.5cm (in) deep x 82.2cm (in) high.|十七/十八世紀 黃花梨裹腿高羅鍋棖畫案The rare painting table exhibits Ming dynasty austerity and minimalism of design, utilising the humpbacked stretchers which encircle the legs close to the top of the table to emulate vernacular bamboo furniture, using the prized hardwood. The increased leg room created by this design had the subsequent effect or decreased stability which was compensated by the S-shaped braces. The form of the present table is very similar to one illustrated in the Kangxi period Chengxuantang block printed edition of the novel Shengyu xiang ji (聖諭像解). Compare with a very similar zitan painting table, Ming dynasty, illustrated in Quincy Chuang, ed., The Chuang Family Bequest of Fine Ming and Qing Furniture in the Shanghai Museum, Hong Kong, 1998, pp.78-79, no.30. A related huanghuali painting table, late Ming dynasty, of larger size and supported by four stretchers, from the Dr S.Y.Yip collection, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 October 2015, lot 106.