Chinese Red Elm Half Table - Late 20thC Tables typical of India’s rural folk

typical of India’s rural folk carving traditions

The seat is seamlessly integrated into the tiger’s back

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

making it one of the most enduring decorative motifs in Chinese ceramics

early locking mechanism

Chinese Red Elm Half Table - Late 20thC Tables typical of India’s rural folkThis 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