Winter 1997 Web Newsletter Vol. Ethnic Folk Art Styles Elmwood furniture has been used by local farmers and peasants in the mountain regions of Northern and Southern China for centuries. Although the pieces have similar functions, each region has a unique ethnic folk art style. Typically, elmwood furniture not as refined as the much more expensive rosewood furniture produced in Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities.
Elmwood is similar to oak in strength.
A relatively fast growing tree, it is usually cut and use for furniture after approximately five years of growth, when it is 8 to 12 inches in diameter. For this reason, it is very common for a piece of elmwood furniture to have two or more boards butted together in each section. Elmwood kitchen cabinets and pantries were used in almost every home. Water containers, food storage barrels, dishes, bathtubs for babies and other household utensils were made from elmwood slats, similar to those used in wine barrels. Hand-carved dovetail, tenon and mortise joints were commonly used in construction.