Red and Gold Decorative Carved Lintel colour-warm-elm The original darker finish has

The original darker finish has worn and weathered particularly on the top surface to reveal the beautiful natural grain of the elm wood

either on an ancestral altar or made for burial with the dead

dark finish that brings out the natural beauty and grain of the material

seated in the lotus position with hands clasped in prayer

adding a unique feature to the piece

Red and Gold Decorative Carved Lintel colour-warm-elm The original darker finish hasJiangsu, circa 1880 Salvaged from a home in Jiangsu province in eastern China, this brightly decorated panel once formed part of an internal wall as a lintel. The deep red lacquer of the main section is adorned with relief carvings picked out in gold showing pagoda roofed houses, trees and, set centrally, three distinguished elders. The middle figure holds a 'ruyi' sceptre an ancient auspicious symbol for power and good fortune and a sign of nobility.