Bespoke Low Coffee Table in Antique Chicken-Wing Wood with Wooden Base
This bespoke low coffee table was crafted with deep respect for the natural beauty of antique Chicken-Wing wood (鸡翅木 Jīchì mù), also known as Jichi-mu, a prized Chinese rosewood. Designed for a dear friend, the table is constructed from a remarkable slab of solid wood, bearing unique markings and textures that tell the story of its age and history.
In honoring the wood’s organic character, we chose to forgo unnecessary embellishments, allowing the grain and natural patterns to shine through. Several layers of natural oil were applied, enhancing the table’s texture and providing a subtle sheen. The table features a half-century-old metal brace that adds a unique touch to the design. The minimal trapezoid base, crafted from the same Chicken-Wing wood, offers sturdy support while keeping the focus on the stunning tabletop.
Creating this table has been a rewarding experience, showcasing the beauty of natural materials and thoughtful craftsmanship.
- Top Single Slabs of Chicken-Wing Wood (鸡翅木 Jīchì mù)
- Finish Diamond Oiled
- Base PT32
- Finish Diamond Oiled
- Size D 210 x W 75 x H 28 cm
- D 82.7 x W 29.5 x H 11 inch
- Lead-time 12 weeks maximum
Antique Hardwood
P. Tendercool founders are former antique dealers who collected about 200 slabs of antique Chicken-Wing Wood (鸡翅木, Jīchì mù) over a period of 15 years. This wood was venerated during the ‘Ming’ dynasty and coveted by literati and scholars for its beautiful grain, “…like feathers of a bird…”
Our slabs were collected in Northern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. Back in the 19th century, villagers would place two identical ‘Slices’ of the same tree next to each other, directly on the floor, to serve as a dry platform to sit, eat, and sleep on. This explains why our slabs come in pairs, typically about a person’s size, in various thicknesses. Inspection of the underside shows they were clearly cut by hand (pre-machine age!), without traces of legs nor decoration. Unlike the Chinese refined ‘Kang’ tables for the well-to-do, these 19th century slabs were purely functional furniture.
The simple fact these wooden slabs still exist is proof of their stone-hard quality: many decades of humid-hot, termite-infested surroundings have had no noticeable effect other than them remaining solid witnesses of a bygone era. We keep them in their original unfinished state awaiting clients’ preferences. We currently own two hundred slabs, an extraordinary collection for you to select from.Made-to-Your Order
Contact us with your preferred size or any details you love and we’ll get back to you with a quotation.
Lead-time: 12 weeks (shorter if we can – please contact us for our schedule).