XUAN Table
An extraordinary table - revolving around the harmony of age-old traditions and contemporary purpose, centered on precious kinship and love, delighting with a hidden surprise.
☆ Acquired by the Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore 2025 ☆
☆ Silver Winner at Singapore Creator Awards 2019 ☆
MATERIALS & DIMENSIONS
Walnut Wood, Brass
Length 90 x Width 90 x Height 76 cm
Fully folded L123 x W35 x H76 cm
FEATURES
The XUAN Table pays homage to community, versatility, and design rooted in ritual. Its precise geometry allows it to effortlessly shift between a slim console, a triangular table, and a square dining or game table.
With hidden compartments and complimentary table mat for gameplay.
PRODUCT CARE
Walnut Wood
- Clean regularly with a soft brush or cloth and mild soapy water to remove dirt and dust.
- For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth with mild, non-abrasive soapy water. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain and dry immediately with a clean, dry cloth to prevent moisture absorption.
- Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or wax-based polishes, as they can damage the natural texture and finish of the wood. Stick to gentle, eco-friendly cleaning products specifically designed for wood.
- Protect the surface by using coasters, placemats, or fabric runners when placing items like cups, plates, or decorative pieces. Wipe up spills immediately to avoid moisture damage or staining.
- Every six months, especially if the piece is exposed to the sun, apply lemon oil or a sealant available from hardware stores to nourish the wood and enhance its natural grains. This also helps to prevent cracking or drying over time.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, heaters, or air conditioning vents to prevent fading, warping, or drying out.
Solid Brass
- The brass accents are designed to develop a patina over time. If you prefer to restore the brass hardware to a shine, you may use a metal polish suitable for brass metal. Do a small patch test in an inconspicuous area before polishing the whole hardware.
- Avoid using abrasive cleaners that can scratch and dull metal surfaces.
Complimentary Table Mat
14-Day Returns and Exchanges
2 Year Warranty
Free Delivery within Singapore
Inspired by history.
Designed by Jessica Wong, the XUAN Table captures the essence of tradition while meeting the needs of contemporary living, a piece that transforms without losing its timeless character.
History
In the main hall of many traditional Chinese homes, from the old courtyard houses in China to the shophouses of South-east Asia, often sits a simple square table. Known as the Baxian Table (八仙桌), or the Table of Eight Immortals, this humble piece of furniture is named after the iconographic figures to signify a camaraderie shared especially over food and drink amongst loved ones and kin.
More than just for meals, the Baxian Table would take on numerous functions - covered with festive fabrics and used for celebrations, a desk for work, impromptu tea sessions, and for leisurely games such as mahjong.
One could go so far as to say that the Baxian Table was at the heart of domestic life.
HIDDEN FEATURES
Tucked into the center of the XUAN Table and hidden from plain sight, is a compartment that can be used to house mahjong tiles. Drawers tucked at the sides, can be used for game chips, or space to hold the player’s phones.
The Design
Using precise geometric diagrams and rotational curves, the square table was divided into triangles first, inspired by an avant garde 1960s, three sided mahjong table, chanced upon at a Singaporean Chinese gentlemen's club. Through several iterations, the perfect angles and shapes were created, and matched with a folding mechanism for the supporting legs - the result was a table that could transform from a slim console, to a triangular table, to a square one.
Addressing smaller urban homes of today - a slim console could be tucked away along a wall in urban homes, a triangular table could be tucked into a corner and the square table opened up when desired for meals, or games such as mahjong. The multiple forms can be chosen according to one’s needs or fancy.
Transforming the table is a simple lowering of the triangular flaps, and shifting the supporting precision-made wood and brass legs below.
The XUAN Table draws from the clean lines of classic Ming Dynasty furniture — a design language that travelled south with Straits Chinese communities and took root in the shophouses of Singapore and Penang. Simplified for a timeless look, it fits right in with today’s contemporary styles.
Both sides closed as a console, center compartment for mahjong tiles lid open
Both sides open, forming a square table
Both sides open, forming a square table
Handcrafted by Expert Artisans
The XUAN Table is handcrafted in Guangzhou, by artisans in the same lineage as the craftsmen who supplied the Straits trade.
Award-Winning Design
The XUAN Table captures the essence of tradition and is a modern day masterpiece.