Carved Altar Coffer with Qilin Apron

A small altar coffer in the classic flanked top form, reduced to tabletop scale. The plank top rises into everted flanges at both ends, and beneath it two flanking drawers sit either side of a central pair of doors closed by a brass bar lock with pendant escutcheons. The apron is pierced right through with confronting qilin flanking a central ruyi cartouche, and the corner spandrels are cut in openwork with prunus branches and a bird in flight, carved in the round rather than worked in shallow relief. The old lacquer has worn back through the top and the flanges to bare grain, leaving the carved surfaces darker and the handled edges pale. Pieces in this form are often loosely called opium tables in the trade, though at 21 cm deep this is properly an altar coffer, made to stand on a larger surface rather than on the floor. We do not put a date on it. The joinery, the depth of the wear through the lacquer, and the oxidised interior are all consistent with genuine age, but we have no documentation and will not guess at a period. At 92 cm across the flanges and 33 cm high it sits well on a sideboard, a low cabinet, or a wide shelf, and the interior gives real storage behind the doors. Please read the condition notes and see the photographs.

Estimated delivery: SGD 50

Delivery is arranged islandwide and quoted separately. Full condition notes are provided for every piece.