Chinese Walnut Sideboard From Shanxi - Early 18th Century Ancestor Figures Buddha sits in Dhyanasana mudra

Buddha sits in Dhyanasana mudra with his hands in Bhumisparsha mudra - the earth touching mudra

The frame retains beautifully weathered layers of original paint in deep greens

Steiner's Turkey Red Dyehouse at Church also produced red-dyed cloth for the army

Havelis were the stylish homes of the wealthy

with the mould destroyed after use

Chinese Walnut Sideboard From Shanxi - Early 18th Century Ancestor Figures Buddha sits in Dhyanasana mudraThis antique Chinese sideboard is an excellent early to mid Qing dynasty (1644 1911) sideboard from Shanxi province. It is constructed from primarily walnut wood (hetaomu) with some parts red elm (jumu). Walnut pieces in Shanxi province were often reserved for the most important citizens. This was due to Shanxi being isolated from the rest of China with no access to The Grand Canal and thus very limited access to highly desirable hardwoods such as