Elegant and classic black altar table or desk. The antique table is decorated with cloud-like designs underneath the top and in between the legs.

Altar tables can be recognized by their ‘wings’ (carved pieces of wood at each end of the top), which signifies their religious and spiritual use. They were large and would be centrally placed in the formal central hall of a house, usually against the rear wall. These tables would display the tablets and incense used in ancestor worship, but would also show off prized possessions or heirlooms. Antique altar tables were made without the use of iron nails. The spandrels at the top of the legs would usually be carved in a ‘cloud’ design.

Origin: Shanxi Province China

c1850-1880

Dimensions: 94.5"l x 11"w x 38.6"h