Small table

Due to the heavy use and inherent fragility of small, portable pieces of lacquered furniture, it is rare today to find examples from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The design seen here consists of scrollwork carved into a lacquer surface built up by hundreds of layers of lacquer, which are applied in alternating bands of red and black. The technique was developed in China and is called tixi, (better known in the West by the Japanese name guri). Classic tixi designs consist of trilobed "sword pommel" scrolls, which are featured on the center top of the small table, and wavy, or grasslike, scrolls seen as border designs.

This small table had several potential uses.  If set on top of a full size table, it may have functioned as a stand to elevate and offset a vase or incense burner. If used on a large seating platform or bed, it may have served as a miniature table to hold cups and sundry items. The size of the table is larger than most decorative stands, but smaller than many platforms (or kang) tables, which underscores the intention for this costly item to have multiple functions.

Its handsome sculptural form corresponds to full-scale furniture of the Ming dynasty, thus serving as a reminder that although the Ming was the apogee of classical hardwood furniture, lacquer examples were also prized.