Late 19th Century Chinese Yew Wood Console Table With Handcrafted Joinery

Details

Description

An elegant and authentic antique Chinese console table, crafted from richly grained yew wood. Likely dating from the late 19th … Read more An elegant and authentic antique Chinese console table, crafted from richly grained yew wood. Likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, this piece showcases traditional craftsmanship with mortise and tenon joinery, visible mid-table on both long sides — a hallmark of fine antique Chinese furniture-making.

The natural warm honey-brown finish highlights the expressive grain of the yew wood, (called "huangyangmu" 黄杨木), it was prized for furniture pieces that balanced strength and beauty., A soft patina that only age and use can produce adds to the finish significantly.. Structurally unique, the table features a single stretcher on one long side only, a deliberate design choice seen in traditional Chinese furniture, possibly to allow for flexibility in placement or for seating on the opposite side.

The detailing is minimal and restrained, allowing the quality of the wood and craftsmanship to take center stage. Two rounded poles the same size of teh stretchers are joined like Siamese twins are placed at each of the four corners,. The table is joined with horizontal supports that echo the clean, practical aesthetic of Qing Dynasty-era rural furniture. No maker's mark is present, but it is consistent with provincial Chinese furniture workshops known for producing high-quality, utilitarian pieces during this period.

Its narrow profile makes it ideal for use as a hallway, entryway, or sofa table, easily blending with both antique and modern interiors. While unsigned, it reflects the techniques and aesthetics of traditional Chinese furniture, comparable to works from historic artisan centers such as Suzhou or Guangdong.

The table is in good antique condition with expected signs of wear: small surface scratches, minor separation of wood panels due to age, and slight finish loss in some areas, all of which enhance its character. Worm holes and some wood pitting is mostly natural and suited to this table beyond pale

Materials: Solid yew wood

Finish: Natural aged honey-brown with original lacquer remnants

Era: Late Qing Dynasty to early Republic period (circa 1880–1920)

Country of Origin: China

Attributed to: Anonymous provincial Chinese workshop

Stylistic Cues:

Traditional mortise and tenon joinery

Minimal, rustic Chinese design, rural

Asymmetrical stretcher placement

Warm, expressive wood grain

Rounded leg profiles

Understated elegance ideal for Wabi-Sabi, minimalist, transitional, or eclectic interiors

Pairs beautifully with Asian antiques, modern art, or clean-lined contemporary furnishings See less