Altar table; China, 18th-19th centuries

Altar table; China, 18th-19th centuries.
Hongmu wood.
Measurements: 76 x 212 x 48 cm.

Supported by four legs joined in pairs, this elegant altar table dating from the 19th century shows its origin, coming from a great Chinese family. With a design based on rather simple but stylized lines, it is decorated with carvings, especially in the area of the legs, in the form of flowers and stylized scrolls. A subtle skirt decorates the front of the altar, contributing to the restrained and refined decoration of the piece.
The piece belongs to the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), a period marked by the continuity of craft traditions and a high level of technical refinement. Altar tables (gong'an or tiao'an) occupied a central place in homes and temples, where they were used for ancestor worship, the arrangement of offerings, incense and ritual objects, reflecting the importance of Confucianism and filial piety in Chinese society.
The piece is made of hongmu wood, a term that encompasses several tropical hardwoods of great density and value, highly prized for their strength, fine grain and dark tone.