Mid-Century Chinese Black Lacquer Coffee Table With Hand-Painted Kutani Porcelain Immortals Relief

Details

Description

A richly detailed black lacquer coffee table pairing sculptural porcelain artistry with an architectural openwork frame. Beneath its protective glass … Read more A richly detailed black lacquer coffee table pairing sculptural porcelain artistry with an architectural openwork frame. Beneath its protective glass top, hand-painted porcelain figures form a dimensional interpretation of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, transforming the tabletop into a narrative composition of flowing robes, curling clouds, and mythical creatures.

Six Immortals travel together aboard a cloudlike raft, while two additional figures ride a red dragon above the waves. Known as the Baxian, the Eight Immortals are beloved figures in Daoist mythology, each possessing distinctive attributes and supernatural abilities. Their sea crossing celebrates the different powers they bring to a shared journey—a subject long represented across East Asian decorative arts.

The porcelain relief is identified as Japanese Kutani work, a ceramic tradition celebrated for expressive figure painting and detailed polychrome decoration. Two inset red-and-cream seal cartouches accompany the scene, identified as 大清, “Great Qing,” and 九谷, “Kutani.” Together with the Chinese-style wooden frame, these details bring particular interest to the table’s combination of ceramic decoration and furniture craftsmanship. The individual ceramic artist and furniture workshop are unidentified.

The rectangular top is enclosed by a substantial molded frame with fitted, mitered corners. A recessed waist and pierced geometric apron introduce lightness beneath the richly decorated surface, while square-section legs and shaped perimeter stretchers establish a balanced silhouette. The visible fitted connections are part of the table’s construction and contribute to its handcrafted character. Its dark finish provides a restrained setting for the porcelain’s color and dimensional detail.

At 44 inches wide, the table offers a generous focal point without overwhelming a seating arrangement. Beautiful beside tailored upholstery, an antique rug, or a collection of blue-and-white ceramics, it brings depth to a traditional drawing room, an English country interior, or a layered Chinoiserie setting. The glass surface preserves a clear view of the artwork while providing a practical surface for everyday use.

Provenance

Acquired from an estate sale, where it was cataloged as an Asian black lacquer glass-top coffee table featuring an inlaid Immortal scene. Subsequent identification supplied by the owner identifies the decorative elements as hand-painted Kutani porcelain and dates the table to the mid-20th century. Earlier ownership history and the original workshop are undocumented. See less