Antique Chinese Coffee Table With Giant Arm Braces

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In my years of sourcing for Chinese antique furniture in China, I found the most interesting and most varied are … Read more In my years of sourcing for Chinese antique furniture in China, I found the most interesting and most varied are the country furniture from Shanxi Province in North Central China. The name is a misnomer, the country furniture is not really furniture used by country folks, but they were furniture made for rich merchants in mansions in established cities. The term is used by art historians who classified traditional furniture found in scholar studios, usually made in the classic Ming Dynasty style versus household furniture that are more interesting and innovative.

Shanxi merchants became wealthy by trading south of the province, bringing tea and silks from the south, plus salt and rice and other materials absent from the north. In order to protect themselves from bandits, they established a system of using letters of credit, thus avoiding carrying silver ingots called yuanbao. With their wealth, they furnished their homes in wood furniture that were plentiful in the province.

This square table is a fine example of antique Shanxi furniture. The use of three wood boards to form the table top, which is surrounded by a wide mitered frame. The giant arm braces at the corners that helped support the table top - a hallmark of traditional Chinese joinery that adds both strength and elegance. The waisted apron, and the legs that are jointed to the table are all features that are traditional to Shanxi furniture and proofs of age. Notice the small detail near the top of each table leg. Much care was placed into the making of this table.

The material is a dark-stained hardwood, possibly elm or another dense wood , with a worn, aged patina showing use over time. Simple, balanced and functional - features that are often associated with scholar's furniture or side tables. See less