Chinese Classical Calligraphy Table Desk with Brush Drawer

Long dark table with flanged ends and slab legs braced with open slats.

This classical calligraphy table desk with brush drawer is from Guangdong Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is ironwood. Many Chinese antiques are now returning to China through auction houses and foreign dealers, as Chinese buyers actively purchase older pieces back, which the article describes as reclaiming their heritage. Narrow rectangular top with upturned edges at both ends. Each end has a pair of wide side panels forming the legs, set on small runner feet and filled with vertical bars. The finish is almost black with a soft sheen. It is 75 inches long, 32 deep and 31.25 high.

Austere, elongated and dressed for formal occasions only.