Chinese buffet with two doors – China, around 1930

Large Chinese buffet in solid pine, with two doors and two interior shelves decorated in bas-relief, originating from Gansu and dated around 1930. A balanced provincial piece, halfway between a horizontal living room buffet and a main storage unit, representative of Gansu furniture with ample scale and contained elegance. In traditional Gansu homes in the early 20th century, generously sized buffets presided over the main rooms, where dishes, textiles, and everyday objects were kept, and served as display platforms on the continuous top. The ample proportion — nearly 1.75 metres wide — provides a significant presence without excessive verticality. The discreet decorative carving reflects the refined taste of the region, which sought elevation without saturated ornamentation. Pine was the preferred wood. Details. Dimensions: Width: 175 cm Depth: 40 cm Height: 86 cm. Style: Chinese provincial furniture, Gansu tradition. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; original wrought iron fittings. Place of origin: Gansu, China. Period: Early 20th century. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good. Warm natural patina, intact carvings, solid fittings, stable structure, functional mechanisms.