This small low table has received the 2009 Design Journal magazine’s ADEX Award’s third place of a Silver Award.

This item was designed in early July 2008 and produced by the wood factory in China in late July 2008.

This low table was designed for a compact space with a minimal approach in design. It is to be used as a coffee table or a tea table.

The top panel is hand-carved out of a thicker single-plank of Northern Chinese Elm to achieve the final result of a 3” thick tabletop with two small flared ends at the two sides of the plank, keeping the beautiful wood grains in the middle in a horizontal direction.

The two flared ends of the tabletop are designed with a much smaller proportion in size compared to those of the more common larger sized ones seen on the traditional style Chinese altar tables. These two small barely existing ends came from the rare examples of the 16th to the 17th century Chinese Ming style altar table.

The two side panels underneath the tabletop that served as pedestal style supports or legs to the tabletop are joined to the top panel at a slight angle. Different from the carved top panel, these two supporting wood planks are hand-carved in a straight line with a minimized small curve carved into the existing wood planks at the end. Together these three planks of wood board with their minimized small flares represent an image of a bird beginning to fly with its opening wings.

The peony flower motif inside a medallion on the center of the tabletop is carved by some of the most excellent woodcarvers in China. “Peony and bird” is among the most popular traditional Chinese art motifs used in the traditional style Chinese brush painting and woodwork. It symbolizes abundance, nobility, and harmony.

Small amount of natural red color pigment was hand rubbed into the carved peony flower motif to enhance the color and flavor of the piece.

The “Joined Three Planks” style construction is among traditional style Chinese woodwork, more commonly done with straight lines and straight cuts for furniture pieces such as lute tables.

Planking a piece of wood horizontally with two flared ends in such small proportion is a challenging woodwork. The skillful workmanship is to be admired.

35” W x 19” D x 19” H

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