For avid collectors of Chinese antiquities, Sotheby's' display of Dr S Y Yip’s Ming-era compilation on August 14 to September 4 offers an extraordinary opportunity to preview and learn about one of China’s greatest historical crafts.
Ming dynasty furniture was made possible by imports of precious timber from Southeast Asia, featuring now-extinct hardwoods from trees such as the huanghuali and zitan.
Prized for their toughness, high strength, beautiful colour, and fine grain, these hardwoods allowed craftsmen to create very complicated and ingenious joints using the mortis and tendon method. Metal nails are never used and glue is always secondary to the joinery, if used at all.
“The charm of Ming furniture lies in its sense of magnanimity, its perfect proportions, its simple silhouette, and its fluidity,” said Yip. “It is its simplicity and noble nature that has elevated Ming furniture to its current status.”
The names of the artisans who created these elegant and understated pieces of furniture remain unknown but the literati and members of the imperial retinue certainly appreciated their skills. Now buyers have a chance to buy these unique pieces at Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction on October 7.
Kevin Ching, chief executive for Sotheby’s Asia, is clearly enthused. “I am extremely honoured and thrilled that we have been entrusted with the sale of 38 carefully selected items of furniture from the Dr S Y Yip Collection, arguably the greatest Ming furniture collection in the world,” he told FinanceAsia.
The furniture is rich in variety and styles, divided into six categories: stools and chairs; tables and desks; cabinets and chests; beds and couches; platforms and racks; and screens. The concept of furniture sets was formed during the Ming era and the gallery shows complete sets as they appeared in the halls, bedrooms, and studies of the elite.
The majority of the collection is from the gallery of Grace Wu Bruce, known affectionately to collectors as the Queen of Huanghuali. As curator of the exhibition, she said, “I am pleased to collaborate with Sotheby’s this summer and put together a selection of 38 sets of Ming furniture to be auctioned in the international city of Hong Kong.”
