Chinese console table in old elm – Shanxi, circa 1890

Chinese altar console table in solid elm, monumental structure very long, originating from Shanxi and dated around 1890. A functional piece with an absolute architectural presence, halfway between a monumental altar table and a console-gallery for exhibitions, representative of northern Chinese furniture with an epic presence from the last third of the 19th century. In the main salons, spaces of veneration and galleries of Chinese houses in Shanxi from the last third of the 19th century, monumental altar-console tables fulfilled maximum decorative functions: they served as display surfaces for the most precious collections, functioned as architectural presence altars, and provided absolute visual bases under monumental mirror lines or picture galleries. The very proportionate height — 75 cm — allowed for a complete visual presence. The extraordinary width — 179 cm — created a very noble monumental silhouette. The very compact depth — 38 cm — was ideal for galleries. Altar tables from Shanxi at this scale are absolutely rare. Details. Dimensions: Width 179 cm – Depth 38 cm – Height 75 cm. Style: Provincial Chinese furniture from Shanxi, epic monumental altar-console table. Materials and techniques: Solid elm; very generous top apron; very proportionate square-section legs; traditional assembly without nails. Place of origin: Shanxi, China. Period: Last third of the 19th century. Date of manufacture: Around 1890. Condition / Observations: Good. Exceptionally uniform warm original patina, completely solid structure, very noble monumental proportions, absolute epic architectural presence.