Antique carved pine buffet – China, circa 1930

This antique buffet, carved from fir wood, features a façade with three vertically carved relief panels, an upper vegetal frieze, and a lower wave-cut rail. It originates from north-western China, dating from the late 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—parallel vertical motifs, intertwined vegetal friezes, and cut rails—covers the front surface with a regular rhythm and constitutes a recognisable regional mark. The body is constructed from solid fir. The façade is divided into three square panels in reserve, carved with flat relief vertical motifs. Above the panels runs a carved vegetal frieze with intertwined foliate patterns. The lower rail features a wave-cut profile. The sides are solid. The assembly is traditional Chinese mortise and tenon, without screws. Details. Dimensions: Length 181 cm – Depth 41 cm – Height 87 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid fir; wrought iron fittings; traditional Chinese mortise and tenon assembly; flat carving with vertical geometric motifs and vegetal friezes. Place of origin: China. Period: Late Qing Dynasty / Early Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good. Light patina with preserved dense carving and cut lower rail. Wear consistent with age and use.