A hongmu square tea table or stand with a typical mitred, mortice and tenon frame with a slightly recessed panel with a raised bead to the inside edge of the frame. The outside edge of the frame curving down to a raised bead above the recessed waist. The apron, carved in high relief with a central, slightly flattened ruyi head flanked by scrolling tendrils is mitred at each corner and slightly proud of the undecorated square leg. Tenoned into the inside of each leg is a stretcher carved to simulate two highly stylised dragons, back to back, with a carved lingzhi fungus between the horizontal member of the stretcher and the underside of the apron. Joining the legs just above the foot are four stretchers joined by a ‘cracked ice’ design lattice.
Late Qing dynasty, circa 1870.