Interesting Japanese Table

[SHAD0W]

Heyup!

I picked up this interesting little number today from a Second Hand Shop for a fiver.

I was wondering if anyone can help me identify the scene that has been carved into the tabletop (covered with glass) and the markings around the edges? I can see a woman with tea and another playing the koto, not sure what else is in the background though? I'm sure I recognise the face on the legs. Is it a god? Or is it the dog that's always atop the statues?

I don't know what colour it's supposed to be but somebody has badly repainted it with the colour you can see and they have accidently gone over the gold painted detail in lots of places. What colour would furniture of this type have been traditionally in Japan?

I'm thinking of sanding and repainting it myself, maybe black with silver details? If you were to repaint this table, what colours would you use?

[siokan]

I think that it is a desk in China.
Because the coating is dirty, I think that you should peel off.
Van Dyke brown and the black might be suited.

caution : It is often said by the friend, "Have poor taste".

[SHAD0W]

What makes you say that it is Chinese?

Other questions still stand...

[kenmei]

screams chinese to me too mate.. but, i'm far from an expert

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by SHAD0W

What makes you say that it is Chinese?

The color scheme. The design of the scene. The figures in traditional Chinese dress. The design of the table itself (feet, shape). The fact that it is a high table to begin with.

There isn`t much that doesn`t scream Chinese about it, to be quite honest.

To hit the other questions though;

I was wondering if anyone can help me identify the scene that has been carved into the tabletop (covered with glass) and the markings around the edges?

It`s a pretty common, almost stereotypical scene (poorly carved at that) that appears in Chinese art.

I can see a woman with tea and another playing the koto, not sure what else is in the background though?

Tea in a very Chinese pot. I would guess it`s not a koto, but the Chinese equivalent. The koto is depicted as being much closer to the ground.

I'm sure I recognise the face on the legs. Is it a god? Or is it the dog that's always atop the statues?

I can`t say for sure, but it looks like a dragon face or Chinese style qilin.

I don't know what colour it's supposed to be but somebody has badly repainted it with the colour you can see and they have accidently gone over the gold painted detail in lots of places.

It looks more like the gold detail has worn off. I would guess that the gold on red is the original color scheme.

What colour would furniture of this type have been traditionally in Japan?

In China, gold on red sounds about right. There isn`t really anything comparable to this in Japan. If I were to going to repaint it though, a dark lacquer only would look best. My opinion only, of course.

It makes me think of a very cheap mass produced "Chinese-ish" accent table from some inexpensive "ethnic" furniture place. The red and gold painting is more than likely the original, as the quality of the carving is so poor.

If you like it though, what does it matter?

[yuriyuri]

Originally Posted by SHAD0W

What makes you say that it is Chinese?

For me it is the huge curve on the corner of the roof.
I mean, of course those kind of small curves exist in Japanese architecture but for some reason I get the feeling that I have seen much bigger curves on some Chinese buildings than I have on Japanese buildings.

Also the shape of that teapot doesn't seem to fit in with my image of the Japanese teapot (Please note I am not a teapot expert so this is all just gut feeling)

The curved legs on the table make me think Chinese more than Japanese (Again, I'm not a table expert either)

And that stringed instrument which is on the table could be a similar Chinese instrument.
Also, I know it doesn't have much detail in it, but if it were a koto I would have wanted to see the bridges under the strings... Although maybe it wasn't possible to carve that kind of detail in...

The dragons on the side of the table make me think of China rather than Japan.

And lastly, what are those things hanging down by the legs of the 2 standing people?
I keep on thinking they are some kind of swords but I just can't work it out.

Well, anyway, whether those reasons are correct or not, that is what makes me think Chinese more than Japanese for this table.

Edit: Seems Nyororin beat me with a much better explanation

[V1nn1]

Originally Posted by yuriyuri

The dragons on the side of the table make me think of China rather than Japan.

I also thought of that
Also the dragon on the edge of the table (first picture) looks very... well... Chinese :O