Red Elm Altar Table From Shanxi - 19thC Material - Mulberry Wood Used for measuring out rice

Used for measuring out rice in bazaars and for cooking

- dated - 19thC

and firing it so the wax melts away

86 x 32 x 83 (wxdxh cms)

19 x 16 x 68 cm tall

Red Elm Altar Table From Shanxi - 19thC Material - Mulberry Wood Used for measuring out riceThis altar table has a beautiful old red elm top. The legs and scroll ends have been replaced with excellent quality new red elm. The piece remains faithful to the Ming style. Red elm, also known as zelkova or southern elm (jumu) is considered superior to it's northern elm (yumu) cousin as it has a more refined grain structure. Altar tables were used for ancestor worship in China. Usually a family ancestor portrait would be hung above the table & joss