‘An artistic gem of the highest aesthetic standards across time and space’ — the MQJ Collection of Ming furniture from Grace Wu, the ‘Queen of Huanghuali’

Grace Wu began collecting Ming furniture in the 1970s and founded The Grace Wu Bruce Gallery in 1987, dealing in Ming furniture, eventually becoming an influential expert. In 1985, a book launch event was held at Joint Publishing HK to celebrate the seminal treatise Classic Chinese Furniture by the distinguished scholar and collector Wang Shixiang. Alongside the book launch, a Ming furniture exhibition was also held and many of the exhibits came from Grace Wu’s collection which demonstrated her unique eye for treasures and her outstanding aesthetic sense. Grace Wu’s MQJ Collection, featuring over 100 exceptional pieces, is the world’s most comprehensive and exceptional Ming furniture collection, and its quality and rarity is second to none. It’s worth mentioning that the Chinese names of The Grace Wu Bruce Gallery and MQJ were both chosen by Mr Wang Shixiang, indicating their deep friendship.

Recognised by collectors and the industry as the ‘Queen of Huanghuali’, Grace Wu further studied the history of Ming furniture, expanded her collection and published her findings to help the world appreciate the beauty and value of these objects, and to keep this timeless art form alive forever. Impressive with its breadth and depth, the newly released Three Decades of Ming Furniture by Grace is the most important publication after Wang’s title in 1985. The book launch was held by Christie’s Hong Kong at The Henderson.

Part of the finest classical Ming furniture in the MQJ Collection will be presented at Christie’s inaugural Asian Art sales at The Henderson, its new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong, in November 2024, including an incense stand, luohan chuang couch bed, square-corner cabinets, qiaotou zhuo table, musical instrument stand and so on. Every piece stands as rare museum-quality masterpieces. ‘Even the finest wood needs to be carved and polished in order to shine. Ming furniture is known for its pure silhouettes, sophisticated proportions, achieving perfect harmony between substance and empty space, embodying naturalism, beauty and elegance.’ Kevin exclaimed, ‘The “Queen of Huanghuali” is an influential figure around the world and the Ming furniture in her private MQJ Collection are all masterpieces.’

Incense stands are one of the most coveted types of Ming furniture, sought after for their graceful curves and classical beauty. The long and slender cabriole legs of this huanghuali incense stand are balanced and elegant. While examples with octagonal tops can be found in records from the Ming dynasty, this is one of the only two pieces made of huanghuali. The other piece was previously owned by Wang Shixiang, and now in the collection of the Shanghai Museum.

This couch bed luohan chuang with marble panels is an extremely rare surviving furniture made in huanghuali wood. The poetic panels depict a beautiful natural pattern that resembles scenes of misty mountains. From the butterflied corners, the beautifully shaped base aprons, to the exquisitely carved drum-shaped spandrel, every detail was masterfully crafted and rarely seen on other pieces, making this bed an iconic Ming furniture masterpiece.

This pair of large square-corner cabinets were made of precious huanghuali throughout. These large square shapes with strict, clean lines are subtly decorated with line mouldings and unexpected cusped aprons. These features make them at once powerful and alluring, simple yet refined.

Huanghuali trees grow at an extremely slow rate, and the wood is hard and heavy. It has a natural lustre, warm hues, and dynamic grain patterns that resemble clouds and flowing water. This plank-top qiaotou zhuo table consists of a single-plank top with well-figured wood. There are square section S-braces mortise and tenoned to the legs in a hook and pegged joint. Tables with tops that end with everted flanges usually have recessed legs. Everted end tables with legs at the four corners like the present piece are very rare, with only a few extant examples highly coveted by collectors.

The detail of this qiaotou zhuo table reflects that the mortise and tenon joint structures of Ming furniture are precisely and meticulously crafted, connecting the parts from different angles in a miraculous yet scientific way.

Regarded as the most important one of the ‘Four Arts of the Scholar’, qin holds an exceptionally significant position. This musical instrument stand is foldable. When opened, it supports the instrument steadily. It is also portable and easy to store when folded. Music instrument stands are seen in woodblock illustrations from Ming publications as well as paintings, but few have survived and are exceptionally rare.

Every piece of Ming furniture in the MQJ Collection is a perfect marriage of natural treasure and creative ingenuity, embodying the highest aesthetic standards across time and space. ‘Those who appreciate beauty, art, and life will find Ming furniture truly irresistible!’ Kevin heartily praised.