In the Huanghuali furniture collection, the Ming-style instrument type is orthodox and mainstream, and the material and shape are perfectly combined, with a high artistic level.
The Ming style is simple to say, but it is not so easy to judge. Collectors scramble to chase scarce goods, and the price is lost by a fraction of a centimeter.
If limited to the classic style, the Ming style is indeed not difficult, and the tables, stools and bed cabinets commonly found in books and exhibitions are all real Ming-style furniture.
However, in addition to conventional models, there are various variants. They are small in number, stand out for their rarity, and are often the stars of the show.
Since it is a variant, there is a question of whether it is standardized. Things are complicated by this, and there are no immutable laws in collecting practice.
In general, whether furniture with or without corsets, a proper structure is required. Furniture must be subjected to force during use, and the structural improvement force can be transmitted step by step, so as to ensure its own solidity and stability.
With a reasonable structure, styling decoration is also indispensable. Ming and Qing Dynasty Huanghuali furniture is to have both, its own school and ultimately "Ming style".
Taking the low table with corseted waist and horseshoe foot as an example, the shoulder mortise alone connects the tooth strip, the corset waist and the panel, and the whole is not strong.
So add a bully, using the principle of triangular stability, the table can be safe.
And above the overlord, add a horizontal timber and the leg to connect, the strength is further improved, no one will say that it is contrary to the Ming-style law.
In addition, as far as the existing Ming and Qing dynasty examples are concerned, the overlord is always three bends upward, the arc can be large or small, and the cross-section can be rounded, all of which are proper Ming-style shapes. If it is replaced by a straight fir, the load-bearing effect remains unchanged, even if it can have the name of the overlord, but it does not have the shape of the overlord, and the collection cannot be classified as Ming-style furniture.
Careful observation and careful analysis, as long as the structure is reasonable and the style is compliant, it is not difficult to determine whether the variant is Ming style.