Medium: Wood, lacquer
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:late 19th century
Dimensions: 27 11/16 × 48 × 28 1/4 in. (70.3 × 121.9 × 71.8 cm)
Collections:
Accession Number: 2020.18.16
Image: CUR.2020.18.16_overall.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Wide rectangular table with four straight legs attached at the sides with straight struts at three points. Apron on front and back cut in scalloped waves, extending beyond the legs to bracket the flat top. Tables of this type were used in ancestral rites for the placement of food and other offerings, usually installed immediately before altars containing the spirit plaques of individual family ancestors. While the higher altars remained in place, the offering tables could be removed, sometimes disassembled (it is unclear if these legs are removable), and stored elsewhere when rituals were not taking place.