Right at first sight, China furniture is quite distinguishable form the rest. Designs are quite unique with inlaid mother of pearls or marble with a level of complexity that can rival any baroque or Victorian piece.
It is important to note that of all furniture designs, china furniture has evolved on its own without little or now western influence until China opened its doors to western powers in the 18th century. It is unfortunate that virtually all antique Chinese furniture made earlier than this period were made of indigenous local softwoods that can't be expected to survive the ravages of times. And those that are made of Yingmu hardwoods of earlier times are found in museums and collector's homes that cost a fortune to acquire through auctions.
A good source for learning more about antique Chinese furniture is from Curtis Evarts, a noted curator of the Museum of Classical Furniture which is home to some of the world's finest Chinese hardwood furniture. As a consultant, he has researched into the technical aspects of Chine furniture which has been the subject of his lecture circuits and publications. He is one of the contributing editors for the Journal of the Classical Chinese Furniture Society between 1990 and 1994.
Attending Trade Shows and Visiting Museums
There is one authoritative venue for showcasing antique furniture form China and this is the annual Antiques & Arts Shanghai trade show held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center in the province of Shanghai in mainland China. The event attracts more than 500 China future manufacturers, wholesalers and designers and its event for the current year was held last May 20 -23.
Another excellent source is visiting antique museums. There are museums of world history and culture in major cities and some of the better known museums that showcase antique china furniture include the following:
Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603-6110
(312) 443-3600
Collection of Chinese hardwood furniture.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Smithsonian Institution
1050 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D. C. 20560
(202) 357-4880
Collection of hardwood and lacquer Chinese furniture.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10028
(212) 535-7710
Collection of Chinese furniture showcased in the Astor Court.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
Large collection of huanghuali furniture.
Portland Art Museum
1219 South West Park Ave.
Portland, Or 97503
(503) 226-2811
Small collection of Huanghuali furniture.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Collection of Chinese hardwood furniture.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 561-4000
