Kang table, antique pine wood – China, circa 1930

This antique kang table made of pine wood features a large top and cylindrical legs connected by X-shaped stretchers. It is a piece of resting and conviviality furniture from northern China, dating back to around 1930. Originating from northern China during the late Qing period or early Republic, pine was the most accessible wood for large-scale domestic furniture. The kang table (炕桌) is the central piece of the kang lifestyle, the characteristic heated platform of northern China. Daily life unfolded on the kang — and on this table — including meals, writing, and resting. Its low height and large surface are defining characteristics of this typology. The top is made of pine boards joined with mortise and tenon joints, framed by a peripheral strip. The four cylindrical legs with a circular cross-section are connected by X-shaped stretchers in the centre. The construction is robust and unadorned. The pine has developed a warm patina with golden tones and visible grain. The surfaces of the top bear marks of prolonged use, characteristic of an everyday object. Details. Dimensions: Length 193 cm – Depth 91 cm – Height 40 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; traditional Chinese mortise and tenon assembly. Place of origin: China. Period: Late Qing / Republic. Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Good condition. May show marks and signs of use. Wear consistent with age and use.