Courting Birds h5 The footrests and supporting braces

The footrests and supporting braces step up from front to back - a feature incorporated intentionally and referred to as 'bubugao' in Chinese (meaning 'step higher')

The dark lacquer finish over the elm wood is largely still in place

The heavy table top extends over splayed legs in pine

Camphor has a long history of use for furniture and storage chests in China and the wood has a lovely

The eighteen luohans are Buddhist disciples who have reached the enlightened state of 'Nirvana'

Courting Birds h5 The footrests and supporting bracesThis lovely print shows a pair of courting birds perched in the branches of a fruit tree. It is a print of an original Chinoiserie style painting on silk with soft, soothing colours that would enhance any interior. Available in three sizes, either unframed or mounted in a wooden frame with a black satin finish. The prints are from a collection by Diane Hill, a wonderfully talented London artist specialising in Chinoiserie style watercolours on silk.