Ming Style Elm Altar Table From Shanxi - Late 18thC Rustic Elegance hand thrown and hand painted

hand thrown and hand painted using traditional underglaze cobalt techniques

Gilt Bronze Buddha seated on a stepped lotus throne - 19thC

pair of fitted drawers

During Navaratri they form a part of the Golu display done in households

Ming Style Elm Altar Table From Shanxi - Late 18thC Rustic Elegance hand thrown and hand paintedMade in the late 18th century in the classic Chinese Ming dynasty style (1368 1644) , this elm altar table is from Shanxi Province and is narrow enough to be used as beautiful hallway table. 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. Woods used are elm, red elm, walnut & more rarely cypress & pear