Chinese Classical Furniture

The Ming dynasty was China's golden age, producing much of the nation's finest ceramics, textiles, literature, and paintings. In recent years collectors have also recognized the Ming's achievements in furniture design, particularly intricately shaped, ingeniously engineered hardwood pieces which display an elegant sophistication in material and craft. Chinese Classical Furniture provides a richly illustrated introduction to this world of the Ming furniture. After summarizing the history of Chinese furnishings, the author explores the materials used and techniques employed in the construction of Ming chairs, stools, tables, cabinets, stands, and beds. A full catalogue of the existing styles of each type is provided, together with woodblock illustrations from Ming novels to establish how the furniture was arranged in houses of the time.