Antique carved pine buffet – China, circa 1920

This antique carved buffet made of fir wood features a façade with three geometric panels carved in flat relief and a wave-cut lower rail. It originates from north-western China, dating from the end of the Qing dynasty, where fir was worked using a traditional mortise and tenon assembly. Domestic furniture from north-western China combines continental construction traditions with a locally derived geometric decorative vocabulary. The repeated flat carving—diamonds, friezes, intertwined foliate motifs—covers the surface without interruption and constitutes a recognisable regional hallmark. Buffets of this type were placed in the main room of rural houses. The body is constructed from solid fir. The façade is divided into three square panels in reserve, carved with flat relief geometric motifs, separated by vertically carved stiles. Above and below the panels run carved vegetal friezes. The lower rail has a double wave profile. The fittings are made of wrought iron. The assembly is traditional Chinese mortise and tenon, without screws. The patina presents a light bleached tone, a result of the natural aging of the fir and the loss of the original finish. The carving retains its original definition, and the friezes maintain their perfectly legible design. The surface of the top shows the natural grain of the wood with small longitudinal cracks typical of age. Details. Dimensions: Length 165 cm – Depth 40 cm – Height 84 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid fir; wrought iron fittings; traditional Chinese mortise and tenon assembly; flat carving with dense geometric motifs and vegetal friezes. Place of origin: China. Period: End of the Qing dynasty / Early Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1920. Condition / Observations: Good. Well-preserved original carving and light bleached patina. Wear consistent with age and...