Interlocking Ring Ming Stone Table

Created over 400 years ago, this low table from the late Ming/early Qing dynasty was carved by hand from a single block of limestone. The table has aprons carved with interlocking rings, symbols of eternity, and beaded “incense stick” legs, which imparts a rhythmic lightness to the stone's dense texture. The limestone has oxidized with age and gained a beautiful patina. In a classic Chinese garden, stone furniture such as this was treated more as an architectural element than simple pieces of furniture. This is a rare and excellent example of the traditional art form.