Fig. 218

Side table with two small drawers and molded legs, baimu (cypress). early nineteenth century. Collection of Philip Ng.

Fig. 219

Flush-sided waisted side table, huanghuali, Photo courtesy Charles Wong.

Fig.220

Side table with high waist and three drawers, huanghuali seventeenth century, Zhejiang. Photo courtesy Charles Wong.

Fig.221

Close-up of a flush-sided corner table, Photo courtesy John Ang.

Fig.222

Waistless side table with comer legs, also referred to as a flushed-leg table, with a single plank top, huanghuali, seventeenth century. Photo courtesy Robert A. Piccus.

Fig.223

Flush-sided altar table, black lacquer, nineteenth century, Shanxi province. Photo courtesy Altfield Gallery.

Fig.224

Painting table with solid plank top and everted edges, huanghuali. Photo courtesy Charles Wong

Fig.225

Painting table with round comer legs with humpback stretchers and posts, huanghuali, seventeenth. century Zhejiang. Photo courtesy Charles Wong.

Flush-sided Corner Leg-Tables

The legs of this starkly simple table are set flush against the end of the table top, which is usually made from a solid piece of timber. Many of the tables found in this form are either used as side tables or altar tables. Although these tables look strong, they are actually less stable than a recessed-leg table. As a result, supporting arm braces or humpback stretchers are often constructed between the legs. While recessed-leg tables are clearly inspired by architectural designs, the prototype of the flush-sided corner leg table is the box-like platform of the Tang dynasty The oldest form of these tables, common during the Ming dynasty, had straight stretchers lengthwise and double stretchers widthwise. By the late Ming dynasty, Curtis Evarts writes, the use of long stretchers had almost disappeared as a result of new joinery techniques.

     Flush-sided corner leg tables are less stable than other forms of table but their simple style makes them extremely popular among today's collectors.

Fig.226

Waisted carved altar table with cabriole legs and elaborate carvings (see details), late Qing, Hubei province. Collection of Just Anthony

Fig.227

Altar table with waist and cabriole legs (see detail). wood unknown, ca. eighteenth century. Photo courtesy John Ang.

Fig.228

Pair of high stands in a decorative style mid-to late Qing dynasty, zitan, early nineteenth century, Tianjin. The high waist is pierced with cloud designs and the aprons are carved with five bats flying about scrolling clouds to symbolize good luck. The floor stretchers have been replaced. Photo courtesy Peter Fung.