Two Drawer Carved Elm Table h105 while the top is set

while the top is set with a rattan panel to provide a hard wearing surface

crisp detail and rich bright colours

perhaps set either side of a bed or fireplace

stripped back to the natural wood colour

decorated with a traditional design in gold leaf showing flowers and animals

Two Drawer Carved Elm Table h105 while the top is setShanxi, circa 1870 This unusual chest is from Shanxi in central China. The original dark finish, still largely in place on the sides, has worn on the front and top surface to reveal the paler wood underneath and to leave an interesting, aged patina. The thick top, in deep grained elm wood, extends over three drawers, which are each decorated with deep relief carving and fitted with simple ring handles. The carved detail is all original, with the