What we mean by a Chinese Console Table

We use the term Chinese console table for a long, slim table that first appeared in Ming-era homes. The shape is narrow enough to sit against a wall or the back of a sofa, yet the top is deep enough to hold a lamp, a pair of vases or the daily post. The originals were made in northern elm, poplar or cedar; the grain was shown off with clear lacquer or, on more ornate pieces, covered with black or red lacquer and finished with carved spandrels or horse-hoof feet.

The same proportions work well in today’s UK interiors. In a hallway the shallow depth keeps walkways clear while the length gives a focal point as soon as you open the door. In a living or dining room the table serves as a side-server, a media shelf or even a compact desk. It’s often possible to antiques for cable management, so they take a router or sound bar without spoiling the look.

Our stock falls into two groups. First, original Qing- and Republic-period antiques that we source and restore in China before shipping. Second, new pieces built for us from reclaimed hardwood, using traditional mortise-and-tenon joints, then finished in natural, black or red lacquer to order. Both options carry the simple, balanced lines that define a Chinese console table.

Our Two Main Ranges

Original Antiques - When we travel in China we look for honest, well-proportioned pieces that still show the maker’s hand. Each antique Chinese console table we buy is photographed, dated and restored in a small workshop near Beijing. We keep repairs to a minimum: loose joints are re-pinned, drawers are re-lined, and the surface is cleaned and sealed rather than stripped. The timber stays true to its age, from pale northern elm to the deeper browns of cedar. Every antique is therefore a one-off; once it is sold, there is no identical replacement.

Hand-Made Reproductions - For customers who need a specific size or a pair of tables, we commission new work from reclaimed elm. The boards come from old doors and roof beams; the grain is straight, the knots small, so the look stays close to a period original. Our makers use mortise-and-tenon joints and peg the stretchers by hand, exactly as the Ming craftsmen did. We can finish the table in natural wax, black lacquer or a deep red, and we will cut cable holes or add shelves where required. Lead time is normally twelve to fourteen weeks from order, but we hold the most popular sizes in stock for immediate delivery.

Whether you choose an antique or a reproduction, the disciplined lines and balanced scale that define a Chinese console table remain the same.

Placing a Chinese Console Table at Home

An obvious room to place a Chinese console table would be in the hallway. A Chinese console table may only need thirty to forty centimetres of depth, so it gives presence without blocking the walk-through. Some of the newer reproductions have a pair of shallow drawers fitted for keys and post and a narrow bench or shoe rack can slot beneath. Our altar-style tables are smaller than the originals, which makes them practical in a modern western home, yet the over-sailing top and curved aprons still catch the eye

Next is the living room. Set the table behind a sofa or against a blank wall and it becomes a display stage. One lamp for height, a couple of vases or a framed print for balance, and you are done - Chinese design rewards restraint. If you need storage, choose a version with drawers or add a low basket underneath; the straight stretchers keep the look tidy.

In the dining room the same piece works as a server: glasses on the top, napkins in the drawers, serving dishes parked underneath during a meal. We can also drill discreet cable holes in reproductions so the table doubles as a slim media shelf in a snug or study.

Wherever it sits, the disciplined lines of a Chinese console table give order and a touch of heritage without overpowering the room.

Buying from Shimu – What to Expect

You can order a Chinese console table online, by phone or in our Bradford showroom. For stock items we take full payment at checkout; for made-to-order pieces we ask for a 50 % deposit and the balance when the table is ready. Card details are fully encrypted and we accept all major cards as well as PayPal.

Every large piece of Chinese furniture we sell travels with a specialist two-man crew. They carry it into the room, unwrap it and remove the packaging. Standard delivery to most UK postcodes takes one to two weeks for items in stock, and we can arrange Saturday or timed slots for an additional charge. Overseas shipping and crated packing are also available.

If the console table is not right when it arrives you have 14 working days to let us know. We will collect it and refund or replace it so long as it comes back unused and in the original packaging. Custom orders are non-returnable, but your statutory rights remain in place.

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