Old low cabinet painted in pine wood – China, around 1930

This antique low cabinet painted in pine wood features a narrow horizontal structure with small drawers and a small door on the right side, set against a background of softened floral patterns in vermilion red paint. It originates from northern China, dating from the end of the Qing dynasty, where the pine was crafted using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. Long low furniture from the Chinese tradition was placed on the floor in domestic rooms and served as auxiliary shelves for small items — tea ware, books, ritual objects — next to the heated kang or as support under a window. Their minimal height and reduced depth belong to the intimate domestic register of northern Chinese furniture. The body is constructed from solid pine. The front combines three small drawers aligned with circular wrought iron handles and a small square door at the far right with a simple latch. The structure is very narrow — only 21 cm deep — and low — 30 cm high. The joinery is traditional Chinese mortise and tenon, without screws. The painted decoration retains floral motifs in dark ink on a vermilion red background. The pigments have softened with use, revealing the pine in areas of wear, giving the surface a warm and layered appearance. The palette mixes intense vermilion red, warm tones of exposed pine, and natural oxidation on the iron fittings. Details. Dimensions: Length 155 cm – Depth 21 cm – Height 30 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; wrought iron fittings; traditional Chinese mortise and tenon joinery; softened floral motifs in vermilion red paint. Place of origin: China. Period: End of the Qing dynasty / Early Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good. Vermilion red paint with warm wear and preserved softened floral motifs. Wear consistent with age and use.