This Wanli period mother-of-pearl and lacquer wine table originally from the collection of Mrs. Nelson A. Rockefeller, and now the property of Mr. Gordon Getty, is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s New York this month.

The table, estimated between $400,000 and $600,000, is one of the major items to be featured at Sotheby’s Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale, taking place on September 16, 2009.

It has a rectangular top, with a floating panel set in a beaded frame with double-molded edges, supported by a beaded cusped apron extending to rectangular sectioned legs, each gently flaring to leaves, pad and supports at the feet shaped as an imperial sword, further secured by two sets of rectangular stretchers between the legs with molding on all corners, applied with black lacquer and a fine dusting of mother-of-pearl throughout, the underside lacquered red.

It has a rich provenance. Owned at one time by Mrs. Nelson A. Rockefeller, it was later owned by Roger Vivier, the Rotschilds, Bernard Baruch Steinitz and most recently Gordon Getty. We can’t wait to find out where this beautiful table will go next! Alas, we know it won’t be in our house.

• Further Information: Sothebys.com