Table with legs not at the corners but recessed have been termed "altar tables" by Western scholars. While tables with this design were perhaps the most prevalent, they were used for many functions. Examples found in woodblock illustrations suggest that tables with everted ends were more commonly used as altar tables. The present example, being usually deep, is especially suitable for use as a desk, the modern equivalent of a Ming-dynasty painting table. Classic in design with excellent proportions, it was tables like these that first drew attention to classic Chinese furniture in the twentieth century. These pieces exemplify the highly praised virtues of simplicity, restraint, and purity of design.

Painting table

Material: Rose wood
Size: 81.3cm x 137.5cm x 81.3cm
Year: 2000
Status: Available

This table top was securely constructed without using a nail. The tenons of two ends braces supporting the underline of the floating pane (the table top panel) are visible on the long side edges of the top frame. A table with corner legs such as this one is called zhuo. Zhuo of this proportion was often used to support a qin, a rectangular stringed musical instrument. Therefore a table similar to this one would be called qin zhuo or lute table. A table of this size and proportion was also placed adjacent to a square table to increase table size during a dinner party. Since this table is about half the size of the square table, it is also sometimes called ban zhuo which means half table.

Small lute table

Material: Rose wood
Size: 89cm x 119cm x 44cm
Year: 2002
Status: Available

Small and low chair were probably quite plentiful in the households of the Ming times. However, it is usual to find them in rose wood.

Small square stools

Material: Rose wood
Size: 24.6cm x 28cm x 28cm
Year: 2002
Status: Available