This elegant Chinese scholar’s writing desk is constructed from solid elm hardwood, a wood long favored in China for its strength, stability, and warm, understated grain. The desk is designed in three interlocking sections—a broad plank top resting on two drawer stands—allowing it to be disassembled and moved with ease, a practical feature in traditional Chinese homes.
The tabletop displays a gently worn surface with a softly raised frame, bearing the patina of decades of use. Each side cabinet contains stacked drawers fitted with original brass pulls, while open latticework below provides both structural support and visual lightness. The restrained lines and balanced proportions reflect the aesthetic of the scholar’s studio, where furniture was meant to support study, calligraphy, and contemplation rather than dominate the space.

Age: circa 1870's

Dimensions: 53" long x 31" high x 24" deep