Chinese Altar in Cabinet with 2 Doors

Broad black cabinet with brass corners, a round lock, and short curved feet.

This altar in cabinet with 2 doors is from China, and dates to the 19th century. It is elm wood. 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. Squared cabinet with two plain doors in a dark, worn finish. Pale metal corner mounts and a round central lock plate stand out against the black. A shaped apron and curved feet lift it. It is 34 inches long, 22 deep and 45.5 high.

Black, brassy, and unfussy about it.