Antique buffet painted in elm wood – China, circa 1900

Antique buffet painted in elm wood, traditional Chinese furniture with black paint originating from Shanxi, dated around 1900. It comes from Shanxi in northern China, from the late 19th century, where the local elm was crafted using mortise and tenon joinery without nails, painted black on the front, sides, and top surface. In northern Chinese homes, black-painted buffets held a prestigious place in the main room. The black paint, associated with formal interiors and hierarchical spaces within the family trousseau, gave the piece a stable and deep chromatic presence. Its front, articulated with four doors, followed the classical language of provincial furniture. Constructed from solid elm using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, without nails. The front features four parallel doors resolved in a hollow panel with a moulded frame, articulated by circular iron handles with latches. The front bears a central iron plate with nails, serving as a practical closure and ornamental detail. The sides follow the same design language, and the piece rests on four square-section legs. Details. Dimensions: Length 195 cm – Depth 46 cm – Height 87 cm. Style: Northern Chinese provincial furniture. Materials and techniques: Solid elm, black paint, wrought iron fittings; mortise and tenon joinery without nails, four framed panel doors, central nailed plate, circular iron handles with latches, exposed legs. Place of origin: Shanxi (China) Period: Late Qing dynasty (circa 1900) Date of manufacture: Circa 1900. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original black paint with uniform wear and fine cracking. Original fittings. Wear consistent with age and use.