Black Lacquer 5 Drawer Altar Table From Shanxi - 19thC sarong It is then hand decorated

It is then hand decorated before firing

Made for export to Britain in the early 19th century when Chinoiserie was all the rage

Condition: Weathered surface with age-related wear consistent with outdoor use

The carving shows a strong Mughal influence and the mihrab is carved in the shape of a resplendent peacock tail

it's an old tradition in China and used commonly at weddings and celebrations

Black Lacquer 5 Drawer Altar Table From Shanxi - 19thC sarong It is then hand decoratedThis black lacquer console table is from Shanxi dates from the 19th century. It is constructed from elm wood. The five drawers would have originally been solid panels and were later converted to drawers. 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