Chinese Square Dining or "Eight Immortals" Table

This sturdy, almost architectural Chinese table is an excellent example of "scholar's furniture". Scholar's furniture is known for rounded frames that suggest tree trunks and a general lack of unnecessary adornment. The table's floating panel top is held by round corner posts that gracefully transfrom into square feet as they meet the ground. Arched spandrels connect the legs to the top, suggesting the roof of a building is held up by corner posts. Two drawers are held in the thick waist. The table boasts a highly original oxblood lacquer patina, gently rubbed through to the wood over many decades. These tables are sometimes known as "eight immortals" tables as they were made to seat eight (!) on four pull-up trestle benches. Found at the center of social activity, square tables like this one were used on a daily basis for dining, serving tea, or playing games.