Rare Antique Chinese Altar Table with "Camel's Foot" Design

Rare Antique Chinese Altar Table (Rare Antique Chinese Altar Table with "Camel's Foot" Design). This large Chinese antique (250+ years old) blackish lacquered altar table, with feet ending in a camel's foot design, is rare and unusual. It originates from the greater Shanxi region in northern China and due to its age, the Yu mu (elm wood) is from old growth timber, now virtually extinct. It is also impressive in size and beautiful in design and look. The feet are referred to as a camel's foot design because they are large and rather flat. The legs are curved and tapered, similar to cabriole. Much of the original lacquer remains on the lower portions of the table; whereas, the top surface shows less of the original lacquer, with more of the original lacquers showing through. The lacquer is not black, but a composite of different colors applied one at a time from light to dark. It has been sealed with a Tung oil finish. The two plank thick (2 3/8 inches), top surface has everted ends in a scroll shape. The altar has a narrow waist above the beaded and pillowed carved apron--all carved out of one solid piece of wood. Another feature is that the table does not have any leg stretchers or spandrels. The legs are double mitered and are crafted in the mortise and tenon method. The height to the flat surface of the table is 32 inches (81.5cm), to the top of the everted ends is 36" (91.5cm). Antique Asian Furniture & Furnishings: Rare Antique Chinese Altar Table with "Camel's Foot" Design from Northern China.