Elm Half Table From Shanxi Province - 19th Century

This elegant Antique Chinese half table is from Shanxi province and dates to the 19th century. This piece is crafted from northern elm wood (yumu) and has a beautiful patina from over a century & a half of use. This piece is one of a pair. The other one can be purchased HERE

It is a good example of a classic Chinese half table.

Half tables (半桌 Bàn zhuō) have existed in China since before the Ming dynasty but rose to prominence in the Qing dynasty. They're often depicted in Chinese paintings such as the ones in the photos. 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. 

A similar example can be found in "Chinese Furniture: A guide to collecting antiques" by Mazurkewich - Fig. 215.