front view	end view	top view

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Tibetan-style altar table made of beech and elm solids & hand-painted traditional design. This altar table is from the Gansu province. Its owners were Chinese, the age being approximately early 20th century (1930s) during the Republic Era.  It displays many elements of Tibetan Buddhist art: the kyungbur (raised outlining), the continuous ‘T’ wave just under the top edge, the clay underlayment are all elements seen in Regong art.  The stylistic Buddhist icons: the ‘T’ wave, the holy flowers and the infinite knot are all typical Tibetan. The right and left ends have in the corner of each panel the stylized Chinese character shou: this is presented here in the form of a butterfly. The butterfly is a favored symbol in Chinese art, recalling the dream of Taoist philosopher, Chuang Tzu. Chuang Tzu, having dreamed that he was a butterfly joyously flittering, posed the question, “Did Chuang Tzu dream he was a Butterfly? Or is the butterfly still dreaming that he is Chuang Tzu?” The caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly, as unified symbols of transmutation, resurrection and immortality, are perhaps best described in the aphorism, “What the caterpillar perceives as the end of all things, the rest of the world perceives as the beginning of the butterfly”. Two center open-doors on the front side.  Painted on all exposed views, the front and back panels have a stylized long-life symbol at each corner of the panels, while the ends have a relaxing rendition of the eternal knot.  Muted kyungbur (Regong art) on the sides, front, and back outlines all of art work. The design features triple lotus blossoms; its bud, bloom and closed flowers symbolize the Buddhas of past, present, and future. The top as is typical, does not feature any kyungbur; there is a center circular arrangement of Ashola flowers with lotus flowers on each corner and alternating colors of blue and red.   These types of cabinets were hand-crafted by family businesses that had been engaged in the craft for generations. Even though this piece has been restored at least once, which is typical of Chinese ownership and their veneration of their ancestors, there still exists some minor dents and nicks. There is some small raised areas on the top; each about 1/4 of an inch, the top is attached by bamboo pegs and these pegs are causing the top clay undercoating to swell.

Age: circa 1930  
Dimensions: H= 17.75" W= 29.5" D= 15.5"

price $449.00 plus shipping and handling~~ Shipping: West Coast $140, Mtn. States $149, Mid West $160, Atlantic coast $175  International destinations contact us  for a quote

SOLD

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