Interest in traditional Chinese furniture has increased in recent decades as we in the west have become more familiar with the beauty and craftsmanship of Chinese design. As China has opened its doors to tourism and foreign enterprise, so more and more westerners have started to appreciate the elegance and artistry of these beautiful pieces.
Initially interest was in the hardwood pieces – cabinets, chairs and altar tables in Huanghuali, Zitan and Jichimu wood, which were popular among the Chinese elite during the Ming and Qing dynasties. More recently though more and more collectors have learned to appreciate the beauty and value of furniture from China’s regions – painted red and black lacquer cabinets from Shanxi, walnut furniture from Gansu and the brightly coloured furniture of Tibet and Mongolia.
These pages have been developed as a resource for collectors of Chinese antiques or for those with a general interest in Chinese furniture. We have tried to provide enough detail to satisfy the enthusiast.
Books and Other Publications
China StyleSharon Leece. Michael Freeman - Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., 2002
Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques
Karen Mazurkewich - Tuttle Publishing, 2006
Chinese Provincial Furniture: Selections from the Late Qing Dynasty
Kimberly Hessler - Schiffer Publishing, 2007
Chinese Furniture
Craig Clunas - London: Bamboo Publishing Ltd., 1988.
Classic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynasties
Wang Shixiang - Hong Kong: Joint Publishing (H.K.) Co. Ltd., 1988
Chinese Country Antiques: Vernacular Furniture and Accessories, c.1780 -1920
Andrea & Lynde McCormick - Schiffer Publishing, 2002
Old China / New Style: Antique Furniture & Accessories 1780 - 1930
Andrea & Lynde McCormick - Schiffer Publishing, 2005
Friends of the House: Furniture from China's Towns and Villages
Nancy Berliner & Sarah Handler - Salem: Peabody Essex Museum, 1995
C.L. Ma Collection: Traditional Chinese Furniture from the Greater Shanxi Region
Curtis Evarts - Hong Kong, C.L. Ma Furniture, 1999
Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture
Wang Shixiang - 2 vols. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing (H.K.) Co., Ltd., 1990.
Chinese Classical Furniture
Grace Wu Bruce - Hong Kong: Oxford University Press, 1995
Shimu – the UK specialist in oriental furniture and Chinese antiques.
Shimu offers the UK’s widest selection of reproduction Chinese furniture in elm, as well as an ever changing range of Chinese antique furniture. We can also produce furniture made to your own specifications and offer an antique sourcing service. UK delivery.Links to Information on Chinese Furniture
Wikipedia - Chinese FurnitureInformation on Chinese furniture from Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_furniture
Classical Chinese Furniture
An excellent resource for information on Ming period Chinese furniture, outlining the history, construction, and materials used. The site also provides a list of resources and publications and links to other useful sites.
www.chinese-furniture.com
Ke Chinese Furniture
Beijing based wholesale furniture company, providing restored antique and reproduction Chinese furniture.
www.ke-furniture.com
Peabody Essex Museum
A major museam of Chinese art and culture. Visit the site to explore the house of Yin Yu Tang, a Chinese merchant from the late Qing dynasty.
www.pem.org
FY Antiques and Crafts
Shanghai based restorer and exporter of Chinese and other Asian antique furniture, as well as porcelain, bronze and other antiques.
www.antiquescn.com
Red River Trading Company
Direct importer of Chinese furniture based in Boston, USA.
www.redrivertradingco.com
asianart.com
A site dedicated to Asian art. This excellent resource provides articles, forums, galleries and details of exhibitions on all aspects of art from around Asia.
www.asianart.com
The History, Technology and Care of Folding Screens
A Smithsonian Center publication offering a wealth of information on Oriental screens, including the history and technology involved in their construction, and advice on caring for them.
www.si.edu/scmre/relact/foldingscreens.htm
Rosewood Furniture
Avoid high prices on rosewood furniture - buy direct!! If you are looking for rosewood chinese furniture rather than elm then try Finesse Furniture. They also offer UK delivery.
www.rosewoodfurniture.co.uk
Orientations
Hong Kong based Asian art magazine. An excellent resource for information on all types of Asian arts, including articles on Chinese furniture.
www.orientations.com.hk
"Woodwork Lessons"
An excellent article from the Imperial Tours website, offering a guide to buying antique and reproduction Chinese furniture.
www.imperialtours.net/furniture.htm
