Polychrome carved antique buffet in pine – Xinjiang, circa 1900

This antique polychrome low buffet made of pine is a Uyghur piece from Xinjiang, featuring four carved doors and a frieze of rosettes. It originates from Xinjiang in north-west China, from the Qing dynasty, where pine was carved and then painted by hand. This type of long, low furniture enclosed the perimeter of the main room in a Uyghur house and served both as storage and seating. The decoration focuses on the visible front; the sides and back remain raw, indicating that the piece was designed to be placed against a wall. The case is made of solid pine, assembled with mortise and tenon joints. Four panel doors open to a compartmentalised interior with a shelf. The uprights extend into bracket feet, and the edge of the top features a carved chevron moulding. The sculpted repertoire alternates between interlaced circle lattice, bouquets of lanceolate petals, and vertical zigzags on the intermediate uprights. A frieze of daisies runs along the upper part, and the plinth bears a continuous band of circular rosettes. The colours were applied in pink, green, yellow, orange, and violet blue, with the mouldings highlighted in deep violet. The polychromy is very faded, and in some places, only traces of the pigment remain in the relief background. The bare top shows old wear on the edge and open joints. The surface appears authentic, without repainting. Details Dimensions: Length 234 cm – Depth 44 cm – Height 69 cm Style: Uyghur from Xinjiang Materials and techniques: Pine wood; mortise and tenon assembly; bas-relief carving and polychromy with pigment. Place of origin: China, Xinjiang Period: Qing dynasty Date of manufacture: Circa 1900 Condition / Observations: Good. Original polychromy very faded, old wear on the edge of the top. Wear consistent with age and use.