A RARE BLACK LACQUER CORNER-LEG ALTAR TABLE MING DYNASTY |

the plain rectangular top with curved ends, elegantly extending downwards to panelled legs terminating in scrolled feet, covered overall in a thin layer of lustrous black-brown lacquer with characteristic parallel crazing

The form of the current table, skilfully created with curved scroll feet, is extremely rare. For a black-lacquered altar table of more typical form, resting on four straight legs, see the example from A Palladian Villa by Michael S. Smith, sold at Christie's New York, 23th/24th April 2013, lot 237. The overall spontaneity of form and texture of the surface of the table is also reminiscent of a rectangular four-legged side table in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, dated 16th century, acquired from Robert Ellsworth, Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 1976, accession no. 1976.193.5a-c, and included in the exhibition Re-Installation of The Ming Furniture Room, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2008.