Antique buffet painted in pine wood – China, circa 1930

This antique painted pine buffet features three doors with painted panels on a cream background: peonies, a shan-shui landscape, and a floral composition with peonies and vegetation. It originates from north-western China, dating from the end of the Qing dynasty, where pine was crafted using traditional mortise and tenon joinery. The painted furniture from the Hexi corridor is recognised by its light palette—cream, off-white, or soft yellow—contrasting with the dark lacquer of northern China. This high tone allowed for fine ink landscape compositions and floral polychromy in pinks, greens, and blues. Three-door buffets were reserved in homes for storing domestic goods, textiles, and crockery. The body is constructed from solid pine. The top is a continuous board. The front is divided into three identical doors with a peripheral frame and a painted panel in the centre. A continuous decoration of light landscapes runs along the lower rail, which is also painted. The handles are circular brass, and the assembly is traditional Chinese mortise and tenon, without screws. Details. Dimensions: Length 208 cm – Depth 48 cm – Height 81 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; brass fittings; traditional Chinese mortise and tenon joinery; cream background painting with floral and shan-shui landscape motifs. Place of origin: China. Period: End of the Qing dynasty / Early Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good. Original paint and patina preserved, with slight wear consistent with age. Wear consistent with age and use.