Chinese Sawhorse Style Altar Table

Reddish brown top, spindly trestle legs, and a long reach.

This sawhorse style altar table is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. It is lacquered elm wood. Collectors generally weigh aesthetics, age, condition, design, origin and provenance when judging antique furniture, though the article argues that scarcity ends up with the greatest influence on value. Long table with a warm cherry-brown top and a thin molded edge. Each end has a pair of angled legs joined by a low stretcher, giving a wide stance. The finish is smooth, with lighter edges. It is 78 inches long, 14 deep and 33 high.

Uncomplicated, and deeply reliable.