Carved Coffer Table From Shanxi - Early 19th Century

This pretty antique coffer table from Shanxi province has its original painting and is in excellent condition. It is constructed from northern elm wood (榆木 yumu) which is carved with beautiful flowing floral designs on the drawer fronts and carved flanges. As can be seen from the drawer interior, this coffer table has good age, dating to at least the early 19th century, perhaps earlier. 

Coffer tables in China had relatively little written about them. They were likely used for clothes and utensil storage by women & servants. This piece features beautifully carved flanges with floral motifs often used by northern nomads.

This piece has a large drawer at the top and two smaller ones below.

 

References:

A similar example dating from the 17th century can be found on page 105 of "Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques" by Mazurkewich.

From China

 

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