| Chinese furniture has a long history dating as far back | | | | and Rack, and Bamboo construction. |
| as 1500 BC. Artwork from this period often denotes | | | | The simple frame and panel construction has been |
| woven mats with arm-rests of intricate and elegant | | | | modified over the years to become more elaborate |
| designs. Pictures of Buddha often show him sat upon | | | | and intricate. It's simplicity of design meant that for |
| a plinth of raised mats. By the time of the Tang | | | | everyone this style was readily accessible, especially |
| dynasty furniture was becoming more sophisticated | | | | for tables and bed frames. A distinct feature of this |
| with roll back chairs and platform beds entering the | | | | design is that cabinets will not have a top that overlaps |
| homes of the wealthy. By the time of the Ming and | | | | the sides, which is more indicative of western design |
| Qing dynasties furniture was becoming increasingly | | | | usually seen in wardrobes and display cabinets, but |
| evident in all homes. | | | | instead will fit squarely to the piece. In contrast the |
| Explorers to the East soon began to import pieces of | | | | Yoke and Rack style, with its more rounded legs being |
| furniture back. China accessories were a popular | | | | a characteristic, does have the overhand of the top |
| memento as they were easy to transport and small | | | | piece in cabinets and wardrobes. Bamboo furniture is |
| enough to make gifts for loved ones. But gradually, the | | | | obvious in its origins in that craftsmen recognised the |
| West's fascination with the Orient spilled over into | | | | strength of this indigenous plant and used it construct |
| furniture. Huge pieces would often be shipped back to | | | | everything from tables to bed frames. Later, the |
| take their place in Western drawing rooms and | | | | design would be made in wood to emulate bamboo |
| bedrooms. Of particular popularity during Georgian | | | | but the style has crossed over to the West and |
| times were the intricate Chinese screens made, | | | | bamboo furniture gained a great deal of popularity |
| sometimes made of silk and intricately decorated. | | | | during the 1960s onwards and furniture made in this |
| Two distinct styles of Chinese furniture are evident | | | | style still finds a place in western homes often in |
| even today: The black lacquerware furniture which is | | | | Conservatories or summer houses. |
| usually intricately sculpted and highly decorated prized | | | | The love of Chinese Furniture means antique pieces |
| by upper class families; and the traditional furniture | | | | are now highly collectible but there are also a number |
| which is usually of a solid colour wood and would have | | | | of companies that specialise in high-quality reproduction |
| been for the average Chinese family, yet it still retains | | | | furniture, and some have even taken traditional |
| the high quality craftsmanship if not the elaborate | | | | Chinese styles and blended them with 21st century |
| decoration. Divided between these two finishes are | | | | western designs to create truly unique pieces. |
| three styles: frame-and-panel construction, The Yoke | | | | |