Altar table; China, Qing dynasty, late 19th century.

Altar table; China, Qing dynasty, late 19th century.
Red lacquered wood and iron fittings.
Keys preserved.
Measurements: 81 x 130 x 50 cm.
This side table, possibly conceived as a desk, is a remarkable example of lacquered furniture of oriental tradition. Its surface is finished in red lacquer, a material highly valued both for its resistance and its aesthetic effect, a symbol of distinction and prosperity in Asian decorative arts. The table top shows a slightly split edge, whose natural wear reveals a patina of use that testifies to prolonged contact and care over the years, giving it a tactile and visual quality of great richness.
The front of the cabinet is articulated by three drawers, arranged symmetrically, which reinforces the compositional balance characteristic of this type of piece. Below them is a discreet carved decoration, also prolonged in the leg supports, where the ornamental elements are integrated with the structure, bringing lightness to the whole without altering its functionality.
In stylistic terms, the table combines formal sobriety with a refined surface treatment typical of the artisan tradition of lacquering, a technique that required a meticulous process of applying multiple layers of resin and polishing. Its practical character and careful aesthetics suggest that it was a piece of furniture intended for a domestic space of a certain rank.