Old pine wood buffet – China, c. 1930

Low buffet, an old piece painted in pine wood, Chinese provincial furniture in vermilion lacquer from Gansu, dated around 1930. Originating from Gansu in north-west China, from the early 20th century, where local pine was crafted using traditional mortise and tenon joinery without nails, and where low buffets were lacquered in vermilion with painted panels on the doors. In the Hexi corridor, long vermilion lacquered buffets served a dual decorative and symbolic function: red, the colour of good fortune, adorned the main room and accompanied ritual moments. When they featured painted panels of flowers or auspicious motifs, these panels acted as small domestic paintings integrated into the front of the furniture. Constructed from solid pine using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, without nails. The case features a central open compartment and two small side doors with iron latch handles. The sides are made of solid side panels, without protruding feet. The front retains the original vermilion lacquer and remnants of painted decoration on the door panels. Details. Dimensions: Length 150 cm – Depth 19 cm – Height 22 cm. Style: Painted Chinese provincial furniture from the north-west. Materials and techniques: Solid pine, vermilion lacquer, pigments on lacquer; mortise and tenon joinery without nails, two side doors with painted panels, open central compartment, iron latch handles. Place of origin: Gansu (China) Period: Early Republic of China (circa 1930) Date of manufacture: Circa 1930. Condition / Observations: Structure intact. Original vermilion lacquer with significant losses and cracking. Painted decoration very worn on the doors. Wear consistent with age and use.