Chinese altar tables always chic!

I always love a touch of 'asian' in any decor. It's timeless, and works with antique, modern, and Ikea! The Chinese altar table is the perfect piece for an entryway, a dining or living room console table, or just about anywhere that you have some wall space that could use some chic! They are not very deep, so they don't take up much room, while providing wonderful decorative detail.

 Interior designer Michael Taylor via Pinterest

This is a wonderful example of a rustic Chinese altar table looks completely at home with the Jim Dine print on the wall. Add some decoration on top, and even better some below to finish the vignette.

 Via Pinterest

This is a wonderfully refined altar table topped with blue and white porcelain and a clear crystal obelisk. The fabulous mirror above, and the X stools below make for a great look.

Architectural Digest (via Pinterest) - Interior designer Timothy Whealon

Timothy Whealon uses a Chinese alter table to great effect in this living room to dress up a far wall, topped with plants framing a modern painting. Note the classical sculpture standing comfortably nearby.

One of the great things as well about altar tables is that they are readily available at auction. New Orleans Auction has an Estate auction coming up February 23rd and 24th. This lovely small Chinese altar table (Lot 23) is included with an auction estimate of $300 - $500. This is great for a small entryway, a bathroom, or just about anywhere you have a blank wall. This leasures 47 inches wide and 15 inches deep.

For an altar table design that's a bit more elaborate, this black and red ebonized and polychrome table is a wonderful option. I love the bamboo style carving on the legs. This is Lot 554, measures 51 inches wide and 10 1/2 inches deep, and has an auction estimate of $300 - $500. 

I think bamboo is terribly smart looking, and this antique Chinese altar table is a wonderful example. The intricate bamboo base is topped with an black lacquer shelf providing great contrast. It measures 88 inches wide, and is 15 1/4 inches deep. This sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $250 off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. Quite a value!

This style of Chinese altar is wonderfully refined.  It has lovely carved details, and measure 64 inches wide and 17 3/4 inches deep. This is antique Hongmu, and sold at a Christie's auction in London for $1,800 off an auction estimate of $1,600 - $2,400.

Bonhams  often has a good selection of Chinese altar tables ranging from bargain to collector quality. Ths table measures 64 inches wide and 17 1/4 inches deep, and sold for $203! They don't provide the original auction estimate. This table has just enough decorative carving to make it interesting, but it's also very simple and chic!

This table is included in an upcoming auction on March 12th at Bonhams San Francisco. This is an antique Chinese table with wonderfully detailed carving across the front. This measures 81 inches wide and 16 1/2 inches deep (Lot 5448), and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

Via Pinterest

If you buy an altar table, you will probably find it hard to settle on a place for it in your home because it will look good in so many!