This antique carved low sideboard in fir wood features a front with five carved panels with radial rosettes and a continuous foliate border along the base. It originates from northwestern China, from the late Qing dynasty, where fir was worked using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery.
Domestic furniture from the Hexi corridor combines mainland Chinese technique with a geometric decorative vocabulary of local roots. Low sideboard with fixed or hinged tops and carved fronts served in houses to store textiles, winter clothes and household goods. The continuous foliate border along the lower part of the front is an identifying trait of regional pieces.
The body is built in solid fir. The front is divided by five recessed square panels with radial rosettes in the centre. A thin border runs above them, and a wider foliate border with interlaced leaf motifs runs below. The sides show visible corner joinery and a plain panel. The base rests on a continuous apron. The construction is traditional mortise-and-tenon, without metal fasteners.
The carving is gouged into the thickness of the front. The patina keeps the light blond tone of fir, with soft darkening on the most exposed areas. The foliate border catches shadow and emphasises rhythm. The whole has been kept in continuous use and shows minor marks: small longitudinal cracks, softened edges.
Given its proportions — 259 cm long by 86 cm high — this piece has imposing presence. It can serve as a central piece in a large living room, as a sideboard in an oversized dining room, or as storage in a long hallway. It fits wabi-sabi, contemporary rustic, japandi and orientalist-inspired interiors.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 259 cm – Width 45 cm – Height 86 cm
- Style: Qing Dynasty
- Materials and techniques: Solid fir; traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon joinery; flat carving with rosettes and continuous foliate border; aged natural finish.
- Place of origin: China
- Period: Late Qing dynasty / Early Republic
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1930
- Condition: Good. Carving very well preserved and natural blond patina. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the curated collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
