The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 26, 2025

Side Table

1600s

China, Ming dynasty

(1368-1644) or Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
Rosewood (huanghuali)
Overall: 86.4 x 199.4 x 41.9 cm (34 x 78 1/2 x 16 1/2 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Collection 1964.229
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The table top is made of a single plank of wood.

Description

Long, rectangular tables were often placed against a wall to hold candlestands, flower vases, or incense burners. It was customary to hang ancestor portraits, images of religious figures, or seasonal paintings above the table that would convey auspicious wishes and blessings to the family.

The high legs show stylized cloud-shaped spandrels. At each end of the table, between the recessed legs, are carved openwork panels with a lively dragon motif.
  • David Ketel, the Netherlands
    ?–1961
    (Frank Caro [1904–1980], New York, NY, sold to Severance and Greta Millikin)
    1961–64
    Severance A. [1895–1985] and Greta [Marguerite Steckerl] Millikin [1903–1989], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1964–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Catalogue of the Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1990. Mentioned: cat. no. 167
  • Stories from Storage. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 7-May 16, 2021).
    The Severance and Greta Millikin Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-September 2, 1990).
  • {{cite web|title=Side Table|url=false|author=|year=1600s|access-date=26 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1964.229