Old pine wood buffet – China, circa 1930

Low buffet, an old piece made of pine, Chinese provincial furniture with a painted panel originating from Gansu, dated around 1930. It comes from Gansu in north-west China, from the early 20th century, where the local pine was crafted using traditional mortise and tenon joinery without nails, featuring carved aprons and small painted panels on the door. In rural homes of the Hexi corridor, low buffets with a painted panel represented an intermediate category between plain unadorned furniture and large polychrome pieces. The panel focused on a visible area of the room and acted as a small domestic painting integrated into the furniture. Constructed from solid pine using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, without nails. The case features an open central compartment, three lower drawers, and two side doors with circular iron latches. The apron of the central compartment is pierced with relief floral motifs — tendrils and stylised leaves. The side door bears a painted panel. Details. Dimensions: Length 159 cm – Depth 26.5 cm – Height 34.5 cm. Style: Chinese provincial furniture from the north-west with a painted panel. Materials and techniques: Solid pine, wood pigments; mortise and tenon joinery without nails, pierced central apron in relief, two side doors with painted panels, circular iron latch. Place of origin: Gansu (China) Period: Early Republic of China (circa 1930) Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original patina. Painted panel with losses and cracking. Wear consistent with age and use.