Old elm wood buffet – China, circa 1920

Low buffet made of elm wood, traditional Chinese furniture with a stripped finish originating from Shanxi, dated around 1920. It comes from Shanxi in northern China, from the early 20th century, where the local elm was crafted using mortise and tenon joinery without nails, featuring a front articulated with four doors and a carved apron. In northern Chinese homes, horizontal low buffets served as everyday storage furniture and as a surface for placing items. When they had a layer of light paint, it unified the colour reading of the piece; subsequent wear integrates it into the patina. Constructed from solid elm using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, without nails. The front features four parallel doors with circular iron latch handles, each resolved in a hollow panel with a moulded frame. The lower apron is carved in an arc. The piece rests on four square-section legs. Details. Dimensions: Length 178 cm – Depth 40 cm – Height 60 cm. Style: Northern Chinese provincial furniture. Materials and techniques: Solid elm, light paint stripped by use; mortise and tenon joinery without nails, four framed panel doors, circular iron latch handles, carved apron. Place of origin: Shanxi (China) Period: Early Republic of China (circa 1920) Date of manufacture: Circa 1920. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original finish very worn. Wear consistent with age and use.