Black Lacquer Splayed Foot Scholars' Table

With deceptively simple design, this narrow table would have been favored by a Chinese scholar for its well-executed curves, gracefully arched like the sweep of a calligraphy brushstroke. Conforming to the minimal aesthetic of Ming-dynasty furniture, the 19th-century table breaks from strict linearity with legs that swell out from the apron, ending in delicate splayed feet.

Constructed with traditional joinery techniques for a seamless appearance, the table was then painstakingly coated with layers of rich, black lacquer. Carefully selected as a source of creative inspiration, a scholar would have stood before this table to practice calligraphy and paint expressive landscapes. With clean lines and refined form, the narrow top perfectly accommodates an unrolled scroll.