Antique painted elm coffee table – China, circa 1900

This antique coffee table, painted in elm wood, is a Chinese drawer table with a polychrome front and iron ring, featuring a compact body and a solid top. It originates from China, from the late Qing dynasty, where the elm was joined with mortise and tenon joints and decorated with paint on a coloured background. Drawer coffee tables were used near the kang to store small items and to place everyday objects. The painted front also positioned them as prestige furniture within the home. The body is made of solid elm, with a front drawer featuring an iron ring and smooth side panels. The joints are mortise and tenon, and the structure retains its sturdiness. The front of the drawer is painted on a red background with a floral motif of peonies in white and pink tones. The peony (mudan 牡丹), "queen of flowers, " symbolises wealth and honour in Chinese tradition. The composition frames the flowers in a brightly coloured panel that contrasts with the bare wood of the body. The patina combines the warm wear of the elm with the cracked paint of the front, where the red and whites have naturally lost their brightness. Due to its low scale and decorated front, it can be used as a side table, bedside table, or accent piece; it fits into wabi-sabi, eclectic, and Asian-inspired interiors. Details. Dimensions: Length 74 cm – Depth 48 cm – Height 35 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid elm; iron fittings; mortise and tenon joinery; painted decoration on a red background. Place of origin: China. Period: Late Qing Dynasty. Date of manufacture: Circa 1900. Condition / Observations: Good. Retains original patina and paintings, with cracks and wear due to age. Wear consistent with age and use.