An 18th Century Chinese Elm (Yumu) Altar Coffer
十八世纪中国榆木翘头双屉供桌
Coffers were used in multiple ways in Ming and Qing dynasty homes and temples, functioning both as storage cabinets for valuables not unlike a European chest of drawers and as devotional altars for the display of Buddhist statuary, incense and offerings. Coffers can be found in one-, two- or three-drawer configurations, the present example having two. These drawers, with their brass fittings usually made to accommodate a padlock, offered a secure place to store valuables, while the larger space in the cavity beneath them, accessible when they are removed, could be used to store bulkier items such as clothing or other textiles. As is the case with several other items of antique Chinese furniture in this catalogue, the tenons of the joints that hold this table together are visible in several places, most noticeably on the upper surface of the coffer, where they appear as four rectangular areas of darker wood.
The size of this coffer suggests that it was likely intended for use domestically, rather than in a temple setting. Coffers are sometimes referred to as jiadi, or dowry chests, and were traditionally gifted to a bridegroom on the occasion of his wedding, being carried through the streets to his parents' house. Despite being made of elm, a relatively common wood, the lively floral carving of the spandrels and apron on this piece give it a luxurious feel. Both the coffer's surface and the raised areas of the carved spandrels have developed a wonderful patina from centuries of cleaning and handling, showing that this is an item of furniture that has been used and loved for generations.
自从有了家具的时代开始，便有了榆木家具。榆木家具所代表的不仅是一种传统，更是一种文化、一种品味和一种格调。榆木硬朗的质地、粗犷豪爽的纹理和质朴天然的色泽，无不与古人所推崇的做人理念相契合。所以，从古到今榆木备受欢迎，上至达官贵人、文人雅士，下至黎民百姓，都视它为制作家具的首选。早期的榆木家具以供奉家具为主，如榆木供桌，相比之下它的制作一般比较精细，价值有时甚至高于一个大件家具。此榆木供桌是一款经典的清式翘头供桌，采用明清家具特有的榫卯结构制作，做工考究、形态优美、典雅大方、清秀隽逸。它的亮点更在于桌身的卷叶花朵纹雕饰，翘头下面两侧的卷叶纹路清晰、线条流畅，正下方的花朵更是栩栩如生，展现出匠者精湛的雕工技艺。如此保存完好、品相完整的古典榆木家具如今已难寻，拥有它足以点缀居室、蓬荜生辉。
H950 L1235 D520mm
