작품 상세

3rd quarter, 19th century Pampanga Balayong wood, narra wood, iron and brass mounts 97 x 156 x 85 cm (38 1/4 x 61 1/2 x 33 1/2 in) Provenance: From the private collection of a distinguished collector and businessman This unusually huge altar table followed the principles of ancient Chinese Ming dynasty furniture that focused on pragmatic design, simple but effective joinery, and function rather than aesthetic considerations. Some form of dynamism and elegant movement are provided by the 'kilo' or cabriole legs that end in detailed eagle ball and claw feet, the shapely side flanges that support the mitered top, the convexed apron, and the ogee feet that raise everything else off the ground. Except for the drawer walls and floors in narra, this is made entirely of dark balayong (a type of highly prized rosewood), which is difficult to work on due to its inherent durability, interlocking grain, and reddish-brown luster. The unusual length and depth of the table suggests it might have been used to accommodate voluminous priest vestments or paraphernalia in the vestry room of a church, or a large glassed religious tableau for veneration in an important household.