Antique lacquered pine buffet with painted lotus motifs – China, circa 1920

This antique buffet made of solid pine features a unique decorative scheme: a black lacquered body, red framed panels, and hand-painted motifs depicting a vase of lotus flowers, stacked books, and auspicious Chinese calligraphy. Shanxi, China, circa 1920. Painted furniture from northern China reached notable refinement during the Qing-Republican transition. In Shanxi, floral motifs—lotus flower, chrysanthemum—were combined with elements from the scholarly repertoire—books, brushes, auspicious calligraphy—to create panels with symbolic purposes: longevity, purity, culture. The lotus flower refers to the Buddhist idea of purity born from mud and is traditionally associated with the wish for prosperous descendants. The structure is made of solid pine with a four-door front, forged iron ring handles, and a straight lower rail. The top, lacquered black, retains remnants of painted decoration that have now faded. The paintings on the front panels were executed on a previously prepared light background, using mineral pigments on fine lacquer. Details. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; black and red lacquer; paintings with mineral pigments; forged iron hardware; mortise and tenon joints. Place of origin: Shanxi, China. Period: Late Qing tradition. Date of manufacture: Circa 1920. Dimensions: Length 135 cm × Depth 40 cm × Height 86 cm. Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Patina and original paint.