Antique carved console in pine wood, Chinese provincial furniture with faded painted decoration originating from northern China and dated circa 1900. Originates from northern China, from the late 19th century, where local pine was worked using mortise-and-tenon joinery without nails, with low-relief carved fronts and traces of floral painting on the lower panel.
In the houses of northern China, small altar-style consoles held a discreet place in the main room or in the domestic ritual space. The combination of carving and painting gave them a double presence: sober structure and chromatic decoration that time has naturally worn down.
Built in solid pine using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, without nails. The front presents two small upper drawers with moulded frames and circular iron latch-style pulls. The lateral aprons and the lower apron are carved with openwork vegetal scrolls. The piece rests on four exposed square-section legs.
The lower front panel retains traces of painted decoration: stylised floral motifs — sprays and rosettes — in pigments today heavily faded, integrated into the pine patina. The painting is barely legible, which lends the piece an elegiac character proper to provincial furniture preserved without restoration. The repertoire is characteristic of popular painting from northern China.
The patina retains the warm tone of aged pine, with the low-relief carving defined by raking light and pigments integrated into the surface. The sheen is matte. The piece shows marks, stains and traces of prolonged domestic use. The structure remains solid.
It fits naturally in wabi-sabi, eclectic or contemporary rustic interiors. It works as an entrance console, a side table in a bedroom or an anchor piece in a corner. Its contained scale and faint decoration give it presence without imposing itself.
Details
- Dimensions: Length 101 cm – Width 49 cm – Height 82 cm
- Style: Chinese northern provincial furniture, altar-table type
- Materials and techniques: Solid pine, pigments on wood; mortise-and-tenon joinery without nails, two carved drawers with moulded frame, openwork lateral aprons, lower front with traces of floral painting
- Place of origin: Northern China
- Period: Late Qing dynasty (circa 1900)
- Date of manufacture: Circa 1900
- Condition / Notes: Sound structure. Original patina. Heavily faded painted decoration and well-preserved carvings. Wear consistent with age and use.
This piece is part of the collection of Amaru Antiques, Barcelona.
ONE OF A KIND PIECE
