Chinese Desk with Pencil Drawer

Black table with a single drawer and the clean lines of a very tidy desk.

This desk with pencil drawer is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the mid 19th century. It is lacquered elm wood. During the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976, a great deal of antique Chinese furniture was burned, confiscated or scattered, which the article says helped start the scarcity of such pieces. Rectangular table in dark glossy lacquer with a plain top and a single drawer with a small ring pull. Slim legs curve inward at the top and end in small hoof feet. It is 37.8 inches long, 18.9 deep and 33.86 high.

Spare and glossy, with one discreet drawer.