Half-moon console "Yueyazhuo", Huanghuali wood, Qing dynasty, circa 1790 – China

Beautiful original Chinese console in the shape of a half-moon, known as Yueyazhuo, made of Huanghuali wood, honey-coloured and highly valued in Eastern cabinetry. It features a semi-circular surface, in the shape of a half-moon, called "demilune", and a richly adorned wavy skirt, carved with dragon heads and intertwined camellia garlands framed by geometric patterns. With a distinctly Eastern aesthetic, it also expresses notable signs of European culture. These pieces were commissioned for export and were in high demand in the 18th century by the great families of European aristocracy. This is evident in the three galvanised feet on which the console rests; they end in a beautiful foot carved in the "The Claw and Bowl" style, a very characteristic element of English baroque. Huanghuali (黄花梨) literally means "wood of yellow-flowered pear" and refers to a precious wood highly valued in Chinese cabinetry, scientifically known as Dalbergia odorifera. It is a type of rosewood appreciated for its colour and durability, as it hardly cracks. It mainly grows on the Chinese island of Hainan. The wood was sent as tribute to the emperor from the Tang dynasty. It was the preferred material for making high-quality furniture during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Yueyazhuo demilune console. Materials: Huanghuali wood. Period: Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), circa 1790. Country of origin: China. Provenance: French private collection. Good condition according to its age and use. Dimensions: 86 X 111 X 59 cm. The shipping of the product will be paid by the buyer according to the dimensions, weight, and destination. We will contact you to manage it and agree on the budget. The buyer will be responsible for paying the import duties and associated taxes in the destination country.