Old pine wood buffet – China, c.1930

Low buffet, an old piece made of pine, traditional Chinese furniture from Gansu, dated around 1930. Originating from Gansu in north-west China, from the early 20th century, where local pine was crafted using mortise and tenon joinery without nails, featuring a simple finish in a copper tone. In the Hexi corridor, long low buffets occupied a discreet place in the main room or in the anteroom. Their reduced height was compatible with the habit of living close to the ground and the presence of the kang. They served both as a support surface and as a horizontal storage unit. Constructed from solid pine using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, without nails. The case features a wide open central compartment and two small side doors with iron latch handles. The sides are made of solid side panels, without protruding feet. The top surface is a single continuous horizontal plane. Details. Dimensions: Length 152 cm – Depth 20 cm – Height 22 cm. Style: Provincial Chinese furniture from the north-west. Materials and techniques: Solid pine; mortise and tenon joinery without nails, two side doors, open central compartment, iron latch handles, copper finish. Place of origin: Gansu (China) Era: Early Republic of China (circa 1930) Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original patina. Marks and minor losses of finish. Wear consistent with age and use.