This antique sideboard in elm wood features four flat front panels in its upper section and three aligned lower drawers. It originates from eastern China, from the mid-twentieth century, where elm was worked using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery.
Mid-twentieth century Chinese furniture preserves traditional constructive logic with a more sober formal language than late Qing pieces. Sideboards with an upper band of fixed panels and a lower band of drawers served to store household goods in main rooms and family dining rooms. The simplicity of the front reflects the aesthetic shift of the period, close to a modern line.
The body is built in solid elm. The upper section comprises four framed square panels, without drawers or doors, occupying the main volume. Below them, a row of three long drawers with circular hand-forged iron pulls. The base rests on straight legs integrated into the structure. The construction is traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon, without metal fasteners.
The patina of the elm keeps a warm brown tone with visible grain. The front panels show the natural figure of the elm with soft chromatic variations. The hardware presents stable oxidation. The top surface displays natural use marks: small longitudinal cracks and polished areas from handling.
With a height of 91 cm and a contained length of 190 cm, this sideboard fits easily in living rooms, dining rooms and hallways. It works as storage with operational drawers for small items. It suits wabi-sabi, japandi, mid-century and contemporary Asian-inspired interiors.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 190 cm – Width 45 cm – Height 91 cm
- Style: Chinese mid-century
- Materials and techniques: Solid elm; hand-forged iron hardware; traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon joinery; four flat front panels and three lower drawers.
- Place of origin: China
- Period: Mid-20th century
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1950
- Condition: Good. Warm patina over the elm with soft use marks. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the curated collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
