Gold Painted Lacquer Guqin Table

The gold painted lacquer guqin table, dating back to the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, measures 97 centimeters in length, 45 centimeters in width, and 70 centimeters in height. The rectangular table is entirely painted with red lacquer, with kaiguang (a geometric shape such as a rectangle outlined on the surface of an object, decorated with patterns on the insides) in the middle of its top.

The table is adorned with two dragons playing a pearl drawn with qiangjin (a technique to engrave patterns on the surface of an object and then apply gold glue or powder to create golden motifs). Surrounding the main image are patterns of dragons chasing a pearl as well as patterns of the eight treasures. The edges and legs of the table are also decorated with dragon patterns.

The table was made for playing the guqin. It appears to be fairly mundane, but in fact, many details were skillfully designed. At the bottom of the table is a baffle plate with two hollowed-out coin-shaped patterns. A centimeters-wide space between the baffle plate and the tabletop creates a resonance box. When the guqin is played on the table, its sound vibrates through the resonance box and is amplified by the hollowed-out coin-shaped patterns. This ingenious design can enhance the timbre and acoustic effect of the guqin.

In ancient China, the literati advocated an elegant lifestyle, and playing the guqin was considered a graceful pastime. A fine musical instrument can generate better sound in tandem with a suitable table. A masterpiece of furniture in the period of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, this table integrates exquisite craftsmanship, ornate shapes, and practical design.

填漆戧金琴桌

填漆戧金琴桌，明萬歷年制，長97厘米，寬45厘米，高70厘米。琴桌長方形，通體紅漆，桌面正中開光（為突出形象，在器物上勾勒出一個空間，如矩形，在其內飾以圖紋），以戧金繪雙龍戲珠（戧金：即在器物表面刻出花紋，再在刻紋內施以金膠、金粉，呈現出金色的花紋），四周趕珠龍紋與八寶紋間隔出現。牙板及桌腿亦飾龍紋。

琴桌專為彈奏古琴而制作，看似普通，卻暗藏玄機。此琴桌底部設擋板，擋板上有鏤空錢紋兩個，擋板與桌面之間存在幾厘米空隙，形成共鳴箱。彈奏古琴時，琴聲在共鳴箱內振動共鳴，由鏤空錢紋孔傳出。這樣的設計，提升了琴的音色和音效，很是巧妙。

中國古代，文人崇尚清雅的生活方式，撫琴作樂便是雅事之一。好琴搭配合適的琴桌，才能盡可能發揮出琴音之妙。這件琴桌集精湛工藝、華麗造型和實用設計于一體，是明萬歷時期的藝術佳作。