This sideboard in solid pine stands out for its generous scale and for its two front doors with scalloped framed panels. The lower apron picks up the same wavy work as the doors. China, circa 1950.
The large sitting-room sideboard played the central role of household storage in northern Chinese homes: tablecloths, dishware, household linen. The form — two doors over a wavy apron, no visible legs — follows the late Qing tradition kept by rural cabinetry through the first half of the 20th century.
The construction is fully artisanal: solid pine in structure, fronts and sides, mortise and tenon joinery, floating panels in frames to absorb wood movement. The top is a continuous plank with slightly bevelled edges.
The current patina offers a warm honey-brown tone, with no applied paint and honest marks at the hardware and handling points. The original finish has aged without altering the reading of the grain.
It works exceptionally well as a wide dining-room sideboard, a sitting-room storage unit or a presence piece in an entryway. Its near-metre height and 157 cm length require some space, offering substantial storage capacity in return.
Details
- Materials and techniques: Solid pine; wrought iron hardware; mortise and tenon joinery
- Place of origin: China
- Period: Late Qing tradition
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1950
- Dimensions: Length 157 cm – Width 40 cm – Height 94 cm
- Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
At Amaru Antiques (Barcelona) we select each antique for its history, its craftsmanship and the quiet presence it brings to a contemporary home.
