Flanked Elm Altar Table

This 19th-century Chinese altar table exemplifies the refined forms of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture. Long tables with everted ends such as this were commonly placed against the back wall of a main room as an altar where ancestral tablets, iconography, incense and ceremonial offerings were placed.

This example follows classical designs, featuring a solid plank top with everted ends, a shallow apron with curved spandrels and straight, inset legs linked by double stretchers. Bare of ornamentation, the narrow table has an understated presence and is appreciated instead for its simple silhouette and the natural beauty of northern elm (yumu). The original dark lacquer finish has faded with time, well worn by years of use to a soft texture and subtle patina.

Additional Dimensions:
Table Apron to Floor: 29.25"H