Chinese Red Elm Half Table - Late 20thC Tables Painted Opera Chest From Gansu

Painted Opera Chest From Gansu Province - made from elm wood - Circa 1900

An ancestor painting would often be hung above

5 x 6 x 13 (wxdxh cms)

Fitted with a single shelf inside

It has four outward opening doors on either side of a locking removable central panel

Chinese Red Elm Half Table - Late 20thC Tables Painted Opera Chest From GansuThis vintage Chinese half table was made in the 1980's from good quality red elm wood. Red elm (jumu ), also known as zelkova or 'southern elm' is considered a superior wood to yumu, its northern cousin. Elegant & made in the traditional Chinese style. It has an antique finish on the underside. Half tables ( Bn zhu) have existed in China since before the Ming dynasty but rose to prominence in the Qing dynasty. Half tables were often made in pairs and