Altar Table
1700
Physical Qualities
Hardwood, possibly huang huali or nanmu, 38-1/4 x 107-7/8 x 21-3/8 in.
Credit Line
Frank J. and Elizabeth L. Goodnow Collection
Object Number
1998.109
The long two-board top with upturned, scroll-decorated ends; the apron carved with squared spirals between confronted dragon scrolls, and the wide scrolling wings with C-scrolls and cash symbols; the large rectangular legs each carved with an inset panel with a bat head at top and bottom enclosing a dragon, elephant(?) and phoenix intertwined in elaborate feather- and c-scrolls; the openwork end panels carved with confronted dragons facing each other over a large lingzhi fungus above a mountain that rises from waves, with a smaller fungus and waterbird on either side of the mountain.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, 1942; Goodnow Collection, Baltimore; probably acquired by Elizabeth Goodnow in China, c. 1912-1913
