Chinese Temple Console or Altar Table with 4 Drawers

Bare scrubbed wood on top, painted drawers beneath, and scrolled feet at both ends.

This temple console or altar table with 4 drawers is from Qinghai Province, China, and dates to the 17th century. It is pine 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. Seen here is a low table with a thick, worn, pale top over four small painted drawer fronts. A wavy carved apron connects legs with curled scroll feet. The surface is stained and rubbed. It is 87.5 inches long, 21.5 deep and 33 high.

A little painted detail hidden under all that wear.