Zitan Console Table

This superb zitan wood console table is elegantly carved, with lacquered decoration. The straight legs terminate in inverted scroll feet, with finely carved cross pieces above the feet. The apron is exquisitely carved, with carved brackets extending down to the top of the straight legs.

Intricately decorated furniture and objects carved from rare zitan wood were the exclusive purview of the Qianlong Emperor in this period - a potent symbol of imperial power, exhibiting the lavish and extravagant taste of the Qianlong Emperor. Due to his strict policies, Qianlong saved zitan from near extinction. In this period, it was only used by the Imperial Court and housed in imperial warehouses.