Antique altar buffet lacquered in pine wood – China, circa 1900

This ancient altar buffet, lacquered in pine wood, is a Chinese piece with four doors and an overhanging top on consoles, featuring cracked ivory lacquer. It originates from northern China, from the Qing dynasty, where pine was lacquered in several overlapping layers. The overhanging top, which ends in consoles, comes from the altar table, the tiao’an, which presided over the main room and held the incense burner and the ancestor tablets. Transposed to the storage furniture, this shape has retained the prestige of its ritual origin. The case is made of solid pine, assembled with mortise and tenon joints. Four panelled doors open in pairs to reveal an interior with a shelf. The handles are brass rings on rosettes, and the apron is cut into consoles beneath each post. The surface is the main feature of the piece: an ivory white lacquer laid over a garnet background, now broken into a fine network of cracks that reveal the underlying colour. On the edges, the ivory has disappeared, and the garnet predominates. The top, on the other hand, has almost completely worn away, showing the pine with a patina of use. Details Dimensions: Length 223 cm – Depth 40 cm – Height 79 cm Style: Chinese altar Materials and techniques: Pine wood; brass fittings; mortise and tenon assembly; ivory lacquer on garnet background. Place of origin: China Period: Qing dynasty Date of manufacture: Circa 1900 Condition / Observations: Good. Original lacquer cracked with losses on the edges and a worn top. Wear consistent with age and use.