Antique Chinese Red Lacquer Altar Table – Qing Dynasty Elm Wood With Drawers

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This antique Chinese red lacquered altar table dates to the 19th-century Qing Dynasty and is crafted from jumu (elm wood), … Read more This antique Chinese red lacquered altar table dates to the 19th-century Qing Dynasty and is crafted from jumu (elm wood), a durable and richly grained hardwood native to northern China. The table features a rectangular top with everted flanges, a carved apron, and three pullout drawers adorned with scrolling motifs.

The surface is finished in traditional red lacquer, a color symbolically associated with prosperity and protection in Chinese culture. Gilt accents and areas of natural wear contribute to the aged patina, enhancing the visual depth and authenticity of the piece.

Designed in the recessed leg style—a form that originated in the Song Dynasty (960–1279)—the table offers both structural stability and aesthetic balance. Altar tables of this kind were historically used for ancestor worship and ceremonial display, but they were also incorporated into the scholar’s studio for writing, painting, and calligraphy.

This versatile piece serves beautifully as a console, sideboard, or statement entry table, blending historical character with functional elegance. See less