Chinese Cultural Relics
Li Li
Ming-style Furniture
To be more exact, traditional Chinese furniture had its heyday from the 15th to the 17th century, a period from the mid-Ming (1368-1644) to the early Qing (1644-1911). Many of the furniture pieces produced during this period are exquisite artworks, for which they are broadly referred to as "Ming-style furniture."
The birth of Ming-style furniture can be attributed to an economic boom China was able to enjoy during the period. The rapid development of a commodity economy and the increasing prosperity of cities prompted a keen public interest in furniture.
Ocean-going shipping made it possible for rosewood, mahogany, red sandalwood and other quality timber produced in Southeast Asia to become available to the country in sufficient quantities for production of furniture. Moreover, jobs requiring fine workmanship for furniture production became possible thanks to invention of planes and other carpentry tools.
Ming-style furniture pieces fall into five categories, namely, chairs and stools, tables and desks, beds and couches, wardrobes and clothes stands, and miscellaneous pieces.
Meticulous attention to selection of materials is a most salient feature of Ming-style furniture. Pieces that have survived to our time are all produced with quality hard timber. Yellow rosewood was always the first choice. Of the 160 pieces in the Collection of the Best Ming-Style Furniture compiled in the 1980s by a group of Chinese mainland and Hong Kong scholars, more than 100 are made of yellow rosewood reputed for its beautiful color and exquisite grain. Ming-style furniture pieces of red sandalwood are favored for a primitive beauty, and those of other hard timbers, for their exquisite veins.
Li Li
Ming-style Furniture
To be more exact, traditional Chinese furniture had its heyday from the 15th to the 17th century, a period from the mid-Ming (1368-1644) to the early Qing (1644-1911). Many of the furniture pieces produced during this period are exquisite artworks, for which they are broadly referred to as "Ming-style furniture."
The birth of Ming-style furniture can be attributed to an economic boom China was able to enjoy during the period. The rapid development of a commodity economy and the increasing prosperity of cities prompted a keen public interest in furniture.
Ocean-going shipping made it possible for rosewood, mahogany, red sandalwood and other quality timber produced in Southeast Asia to become available to the country in sufficient quantities for production of furniture. Moreover, jobs requiring fine workmanship for furniture production became possible thanks to invention of planes and other carpentry tools.
Ming-style furniture pieces fall into five categories, namely, chairs and stools, tables and desks, beds and couches, wardrobes and clothes stands, and miscellaneous pieces.
Meticulous attention to selection of materials is a most salient feature of Ming-style furniture. Pieces that have survived to our time are all produced with quality hard timber. Yellow rosewood was always the first choice. Of the 160 pieces in the Collection of the Best Ming-Style Furniture compiled in the 1980s by a group of Chinese mainland and Hong Kong scholars, more than 100 are made of yellow rosewood reputed for its beautiful color and exquisite grain. Ming-style furniture pieces of red sandalwood are favored for a primitive beauty, and those of other hard timbers, for their exquisite veins.
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