Chinese Red Elm Half Table - Late 20thC

This vintage Chinese half table was made in the 1980's from good quality red elm wood.  Red elm (jumu / 榉木), 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 (半桌 Bàn zhuō) 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 used butting to square tables for additional space for dining. Half tables were incredibly versatile and used for serving food & wine, but also as standalone tables in the home. Note that a half table is defined by its depth being less than half its width. A wine table is usually at least as deep as it is wide. Hence the terms often being interchangeable.

 

Red elm (zelkova) which is known in China as 'jumu' or 'southern elm. Red elm as the name suggests has a more red tone and a more aesthetically pleasant grain. It was considered in China to be superior to its northern elm relative. 

 

 

From China

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