{"product_id":"red-elm-chinese-altar-table","title":"Chinese Red Elm Altar Table - 19th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis elegant antique Qing dynasty Chinese altar table dates to the 19th century. It is constructed from red elm (jumu) in a style often described as a 'recessed leg painters table'. This style originated in the Song dynasty (960 - 1279AD). The legs were recessed and splayed to provide stability. These pieces were multifunctional but were predominantly used as family altar tables. They also doubled as tables for calligraphy, painting and writing by scholars. A family ancestor portrait would be hung above the table \u0026amp; joss sticks lit \u0026amp; placed on the table for the well-being of the household.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis altar table is an excellent example of the style being constructed from a single plank of red elm on the top. It has cloud head spandrels which are auspicious in China. The Chinese word 'yun' is synonomous with the words luck \u0026amp; fortune. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRed elm (jumu \/ 榉木), also known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ezelkova\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'southern elm'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e is considered a superior wood to yumu, its northern cousin. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChinese altar tables are always long \u0026amp; narrow in form - a configuration seldom found in antique European furniture and are great for English hallways or for a wide open living room. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BinderKing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53550939373877,"sku":"M933","price":2727.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1012\/5243\/2181\/files\/Antique_Chinese_Red_Elm_Altar_Table_From_Jiangsu_-_19th_Century.jpg?v=1789232589","url":"https:\/\/binderking.shop\/products\/red-elm-chinese-altar-table","provider":"BinderKing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}