• #CHF-18 Rare Pair of Antique Finest Hong-Chu Wedding Cabinets with Massive Size Old Plates

    Chinese Furniture

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    Each of this pair of extra large size antique Chinese wedding cabinets are fitted with the original etched beautiful old brass fitting as well as an impressive circular shaped original thick old brass plates as large as 21” in diameter. The old red color pigment on these cabinets is made of organic ground minerals. Originally from Ningbo in China, this type of wedding cabinet was very popular and many were shipped out of China to the west during the 90's, but few were in pair or at this caliber. This pair represents the highest quality and is absolutely the best example of this type of cabinet. In original condition without being refinished in lacquer finish. Dimensions (each): 44"w x 25"d x 72 1/2"h

  • #CHF-01 Large Size Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Coffer with Ming Motifs

    Chinese Furniture

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    This incredible large size Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) northern Chinese coffer is elaborately carved with many of the rare motifs that were used during the Ming Dynasty, such as stylized female court figure, mermaid, unicorn, mythical animal, and several distinct floral patterns, offering great evidence in dating earlier Chinese art and wooden work. This is a very special piece as few other furniture pieces could be found like this one with all of these rare Ming motifs contained in one piece. While the figure, mermaid, and unicorn on this piece are rarely seen on other Chinese furniture pieces, similar floral motifs with a “front-facing” full bloom design like those on this coffer can still be seen occasionally on the 16th to17th century Chinese architectural woodwork such as carved doors and windows, roof-tile clay art, and even carved stone work. One can compare the floral motifs on this piece to the floral pattern on ARW-011 at Shen's website, a set of four Ming Dynasty carved window screens, to a Ming Dynasty ceramic roof-tile with floral pattern shown below, or to the floral pattern on a massive size carved architectural stone base, all from similar period. While much of the research dedicated to Chinese furniture pieces in the recent years has been focused in Chinese hardwood furniture and furniture from the south of Yangtze river, the northern Chinese furniture pieces link directly to the ancient traditional classical Chinese art due to the specialty in the lacquer and colors used and the abundant similar geographical resources from many of the national capitals being built in the north. Hence, the rich cultural back ground dating back to to many dynasties have provided much of the research material when studying Chinese art and history. For example, one can see the rare motifs on this coffer, including the style of the female figure, and the colors being used on all the motifs here, are very similar to other female figures and colors used in Chinese paintings from the same period of time. This coffer is an important and valuable furniture piece, not only because it represents the connection in between the early Chinese furniture and Chinese architectural art, but it also serves as the connection to many other forms of Chinese art. Unlike other material, wood furniture pieces rot easily and were difficult to move due to the size during the political turmoils. Therefore, few older furniture pieces from the early age have survived.

  • #CHF-02 A Very Rare 17th Century Massive Size Wooden Trunk

    Chinese Furniture

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    A very rare 17th century massive size wooden trunk with exceptional gold leaf metal fittings in prime condition.

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    Chinese Furniture

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  • #CHF-05

    Chinese Furniture

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  • #CHF-06 Pair of 17-18th Century Medium Tall Ju Wood Scholar's Book Cabinets

    Chinese Furniture

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    This pair of 17-18th century medium tall Ju wood scholar's book cabinets are very beautiful for its simple design and the natural color and grain of the wood. Cabinets like these carry the traditional aesthetics expanded from the Ming and even the Song period for their literary influence. Ju wood was widely used for furniture making during both Ming and Qing Dynasty with many made in the Suzhou and the Shanghai area. Today, good Ming style antique furniture pieces made of Ju wood are scarce.

  • #CHF-07 A Rare Pair of Large Size Ju Wood Square Half Tables

    Chinese Furniture

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    This pair of very rare large size 17-18th century square half-tables is made of Ju wood with an excellent recessed style joinery at all corners. Ju wood, southern Chinese elm, was among the best wood materials used in ancient China. Examples of 17th century Ming style furniture pieces, though rare, can still be identified or found in this wood. This table, consisting of two half squares, has a simple and elegant design. Together the two sections form a fairly large rectangular size table that was probably used as a calligraphy or painting table. Such generous use of the Ju wood material is not common since it can take up to several hundred years for Ju wood to grow to be a usable tree size. Older furniture pieces made of Ju wood often carry a literati style or taste. This wood without being re-finished offers beautiful grain and a refine sense of quiet beauty.

  • #CHF-08 set of 4

    Chinese Furniture

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  • #CHF-09

    Chinese Furniture

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  • #CHF-10 Rare 17th Century Ju Wood Side Table with Lattice Style Supports

    Chinese Furniture

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    (17 世紀櫸木格式半桌)This early style, possibly 17th century, rare Ju wood side table is among my favorites of furniture pieces. Not only it has supreme design and construction, compared to any other furniture pieces built from the same period, it also has the original beautiful patina that is apparent and unique and only available from the older and earlier Ju wood furniture pieces. The design of this table brings one immediately to the contrasted spatial relationship- the solid and the empty spaces outlined by its particular structure and components. One can interpret it to be Yin (陰) and Yang (陽) , Xu (虛) and Shi (實), the two contrasted, the subdued and the full, Qi or energy that cycle and make up the universe. In much of the Chinese arts, one sees these two forms evolving around each other, whether complimenting each other or opposing to each other. It is more than just the physical lines or shapes. In its design, this table does not use any traditional spandrel, rather, the supports stand out as the main design of the piece and created a sense of continuity, in a way, a sense of rhythmic. It reminds me of the many earlier ancient designs and motives with the “Continuing” design, whether it be “twined” lotus flower, grass, or dragon, etc. This table with its minimalism approach in design not only reflects the sophistication in that no additional effort or energy is wasted in designing or building such furniture piece, but the incredible skills in being able to carry out its concept, the essence and the core of the spirit of the piece, to its practical application with the strength it builds through careful choices of weight bearing points and the stretching distances while using complex and precise structured joinery inside to achieve its goal. Over so many hundred years ago, they already knew and built some of the finest and most sophisticated furniture pieces like this one that is timeless in every way!

  • #CHF-14 17th Century Yu Wood Carved Low Table with Bamboo Motif

    Chinese Furniture

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    (明代榆木雕竹矮桌)This 17th century northern Chinese Kang table made of northern elm, Yu-Mu(榆木), has been among my favorite pieces of furniture for its simple classical design with a delightful character. This table is first constructed with well-proportioned parts, giving the viewers a pleasurable aesthetic sense through its simple yet sophisticated design. The four sides of the tabletop, the legs, and the stretchers that wrap around the legs were all subtly created with rounded edges with all other parts recessed under the slightly thicker floating-paneled top. The four legs were purposely created slightly away from the perfectly straight lines while the carved bamboo motif is very well executed with its lines that are not quite so even and look casually spread out, giving the table a wonderful character in completion as if it were done by nature's own hand. This very beautiful low table is a perfect example that a good design and the good workmanship come hand in hand and that a good piece of artwork can be created with the less expensive material. The dimensions of the table are unknown for the moment, but the table is probably about three feet long or slightly longer.

  • #CHF-16

    Chinese Furniture

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