Chinese Altar Table From Shanxi - 19th Century

This elegant Chinese altar table perfectly suits a corridor or living room. The top is northern elm wood (榆木 yumu). It was originally fully finished in burgundy lacquer, however this has worn away in places exposing a wonderfully patinaed wood grain beneath. The legs have a classic Ming shape.

Altar tables were used for ancestor worship in China. Usually, a family ancestor portrait would be hung above the table & joss sticks lit & placed on the table for the well-being of the household. They were always long & narrow in form, a configuration seldom found in antique European furniture.