Two Drawer Carved Elm Table material-photo Made from reclaimed poplar wood

Made from reclaimed poplar wood with traditional dovetail joinery and brass handles set against the rich chocolate finish

The cabinet is made from elm wood

Low-level furniture like this was commonly used for storing items and for preparing or serving meals for families sitting or kneeling directly on the kang

or as newspaper and magazine holders

These are in a deep

Two Drawer Carved Elm Table material-photo Made from reclaimed poplar woodShanxi, 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