Furniture Industry – The Chinese Contributions
When we talk about furniture, we have to understand how it evolved as time passes. You see, with man’s evolution came the evolution of furniture and all those other things surrounding him. The Chinese have left an indelible mark in the evolution and history of furniture.
Early Chinese used to sit or kneel on the floors of their homes but in the period between 471-221 BC, they started to make furniture such as beds and mats. From then on, they started making lots of beds and mats which were then used especially by royal families and dynasties. Elegant furniture designs reached their heights during the Ming dynasty. By the time of the Ching dynasty, a more elaborate and extravagant pieces were created. Until now, most of the furniture designs that emerged during these two periods are still evident in furniture we have today.
Huganhuali mu (yellow flower pear wood), jichi mu (phoenix tail or chicken wing wood) and zitan mu (dark-purple sandalwood) were the most precious and important woods they used when making their furniture during the early periods. These are known for creating very good lumber. On top of the three, the Chinese also made fabulous pieces made of bamboo. The furniture industry of China developed because of the country’s wealth of natural resources. The most common material used by Chinese for creating their arts and crafts is wood.
The artistry of Chinese was clearly reflected in their unique, elaborate and meticulous furniture designs, especially those that were created and perfected during the Ching and Ming dynasties. But people then did not care much about this and furniture as an art was only recognized at the time when communism rose in the country. Foreigners, however, were already taking notice and managed to get hold of some of their most fabulous creations which can now be found in various museums around the world, including Victoria and Albert Museums in London. In Beijing’s Palace Museum, some of these creations are displayed today.
The love of art and beauty of the Chinese are evident in the designs of the pieces of furniture that they have made. Chinese are known for their ingenuity which is evident by the materials that they used in making pieces of furniture.
Much has been contributed by the Chinese to the development of the world’s furniture industry. Whether it’s traditional homeelegance furniture or modern bedroom furniture set, living room furniture or any piece for other parts of the home, the Chinese have their own long history to prove they are, indeed, world class artists who have always deserved recognition.
When we talk about furniture, we have to understand how it evolved as time passes. You see, with man’s evolution came the evolution of furniture and all those other things surrounding him. The Chinese have left an indelible mark in the evolution and history of furniture.
Early Chinese used to sit or kneel on the floors of their homes but in the period between 471-221 BC, they started to make furniture such as beds and mats. From then on, they started making lots of beds and mats which were then used especially by royal families and dynasties. Elegant furniture designs reached their heights during the Ming dynasty. By the time of the Ching dynasty, a more elaborate and extravagant pieces were created. Until now, most of the furniture designs that emerged during these two periods are still evident in furniture we have today.
China’s wealth of natural resources can be considered as one of the major reasons for the Chinese furniture industry’s great improvements. Wood has been the most common material used by the Chinese for their craft. China is a country rich with natural resources most of its furniture was influenced by this, wood has been the major material for their craft. Huganhuali mu (yellow flower pear wood), jichi mu (phoenix tail or chicken wing wood) and zitan mu (dark-purple sandalwood) were the most precious and important woods they used when making their furniture then. These three types of wood are known for creating very good lumber, specially in terms of strength and density. On top of the three, the Chinese also made fabulous pieces made of bamboo.
The furniture designs of the Chinese that are very unique and creative reflect their artistry. The Chinese people really were the biggest influence in the furniture industry though they are not recognized. Furniture became known as an art only when communism was prevalent with other foreign nations. Nevertheless, people from these nations were already taking notice and were able to get a hold of a few of the most beautiful pieces which can now be found in various museums around the world, including Victoria and Albert Museums in London. In Beijing’s Palace Museum, some of these creations are displayed today.
Looking back, we can say that Chinese people are into art so much as evidenced by the designs they have created in making pieces of furniture. The materials that they have chosen in making these pieces also speak about their ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Mail this post