Antique Chinese Altar Console Table with Incised Top, circa 1900

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Description

An antique Chinese altar table dating to circa 1900, featuring an elegant long and narrow profile, restrained architectural lines and … Read more An antique Chinese altar table dating to circa 1900, featuring an elegant long and narrow profile, restrained architectural lines and a beautifully aged warm brown surface. Measuring 70.25 inches wide while only 18 inches deep, the table has proportions particularly well suited for use today as a console or display table.

The rectangular wood top is surrounded by a subtly molded edge and features an unusual incised stylized motif near its center. The surface displays pronounced variations in tone, scratches, marks and other evidence of age and use that contribute to the table's character.

Below the top, a long plain apron is supported at each corner by shaped spandrels with gently curved inner edges. Four straight square-section legs create a clean vertical silhouette, while pairs of horizontal stretchers connect the legs at either end and provide both structural support and visual balance.

The simplicity of the form places the emphasis on proportion, construction and the naturally aged surface of the wood. With its substantial length and shallow depth, the table would work particularly well in an entryway, behind a sofa, against a dining-room wall or as a display surface for art and decorative objects. See less