Old pine console with two drawers – China, circa 1930

This antique console from Shanxi, made of pine wood, features two carved drawers and an openwork apron. It is a domestic accent piece from northern China, dating around 1930. The item does not retain a manufacturer's label and is described by its typology and region. Drawer consoles served in Shanxi homes as entryway consoles or support furniture, acting both as quick storage and a surface for small objects. Their slender silhouette, with high legs and a decorated apron, distinguishes them from temple altars, which are lower and more massive. The structure is assembled using blind mortise and tenon joints, with no visible nails. The drawer fronts feature carved lobed reserves and their original wrought iron fittings — rings, lock entries, and matching pulls. The lower apron is openwork with three profiled cutouts that lighten the base. The patina retains the warm tone of aged pine, with consistent wear on the edges and legs. The drawer fronts show traces of their original darker hue, while the rest of the piece reveals open grain after decades of use. No invasive restoration. Details. Materials and techniques: Solid pine wood; mortise and tenon joints; carved drawer fronts; wrought iron fittings. Place of origin: Shanxi (China) Period: Republican period. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Dimensions: Length 107 cm – Depth 40 cm – Height 87 cm. Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use. No manufacturer labels retained.