Chinese Winged Altar Table

Long, low, and black, with upturned ends that look ready to take off.

This winged altar table is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is lacquered elm wood. During the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976, a great deal of antique Chinese furniture was burned, confiscated or scattered, which the article says helped start the scarcity of such pieces. Narrow rectangular table with flat top and upturned scroll ends. Dark finish, a plain apron, and carved scroll spandrels under the ends. Wide slab legs meet the floor at each end. It is 116 inches long, 18 deep and 35 high.

Understated posture below, theatrical flourishes at both ends.