Hong Kong became a trading hub for Ming furniture in the 1980s and has remained to date a prime destination for connoisseurs of Ming furniture as well as other categories of art and antique. Since launching the first dedicated Ming furniture auction in Hong Kong in Autumn 2012, China Guardian (HK) has offered eight furniture sales totalling more than HK$350 million. Celebrating our fifth anniversary 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. We are also honoured to bring to you the Hon Ming Collection of rare treasures in a special themed sale. We at China Guardian (HK) look forward to welcoming collectors and art lovers at our fifth anniversary exhibition to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Sales 2017 will be highlighted by a number of special features, including selected pieces from the Hon Ming Collection as well as Ming and Qing Furniture from the Lu Ban Zhuang Collection.
Another 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.
MING DYNASTY
A HUANGHUALI COUCH BED WITH THREE SCREENS AND HOOF FEET
Kai-Sum Lau, Hong Kong
206 × 80 × 82.5 cm
QIANLONG PERIOD
A FINELY CARVED ZITAN
TRESTLE TABLE
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
架幾Trestle:51 × 51 × 86.5 cm
案面Solid Board Top:309 × 51 × 8 cm
QIANLONG PERIOD
ZITAN WAISTED STOO
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
45 × 34 × 51 cm
LATE MING/EARLY QING PERIOD
HUANGHUALI PILLOW
SEDAN-CHAIR BOX
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
71.5 ×17.5 × 12 cm
LATE MING/EARLY QING PERIOD
A LARGE HUANGHUALI PAINTING TABLE
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
196 × 84 × 88 cm
EARLY QING PERIOD
A PAIR OF ZITAN SQUARE-CORNER CABINETS
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
34 × 68 × 84 cm
MIDDLE QING PERIOD
A HUANGHUALI ROUND-CORNER CABINET WITH BASE
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
88.5 × 50 × 186.5 cm
MING DYNASTY
A HUANGHUALI COUCH BED WITH THREE SCREENS AND HOOF FEET
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
89 × 89 × 80.5 cm
LATE MING/EARLY QING PERIOD
A HUANGHUALI COUCH BED WITH THREE SCREENS AND HOOF FEET
Kai-Sum Lau, Hong Kong
65 × 50 × 103.5 cm
QING DYNASTY
PAIR OF JUMU ARMCHAIRS WITH FOUR PROTRUDING ENDS
Classical Chinese Furniture from Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
68 × 68 × 114.5 cm
EARLY QING PERIOD
A HUANGHUALI SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT ARMCHAIR
Classical Chinese Furniture From Lu Ban Zhuang, Singapore
52 × 44 × 106 cm