When many people think of a Chinese cabinet, they think of the Ming and the Ch’ing dynasties dating back to 16th and 17th centuries. Whilst this was a glorious time for furniture manufacturers, and some exquisite pieces remain, it is unlikely that you will ever come across any examples of furniture from this era to purchase. Any remaining items, and there are few, will be located in Museums. Any newly emerging pieces which have been cleverly hidden over the centuries are now banned from leaving the country as the country tries to preserve its heritage.
The development of exquisite pieces in the Ming and the Ch’ing eras was made possible by the importation of woods from other regions of Asia, a practice which was previously outlawed. This allowed some expensive and very beautiful grained woods to be used to produce some of the most important pieces of furniture. The styles of construction have not been influenced by those of the western world around this time; however increased contact with the west from the 19th centuries has seen a diluting of the original and a merging of eastern and western styles.
Modern furniture in China tends to mimic the classical Ming and Ch’ing styles, however has diversified with influences from other Asian cultures being used in the design process, and the employment of increasingly more western styles. Ming wooden furniture is often characterized by a simplistic style with flowing lines carried through the piece, with ornamentation kept to a bare minimum. As we move through the Ch’ing era, there is a marked increase in the ornamentation, and furniture became highly decorative with a higher degree of engravings.
Whilst bamboo and rattan furniture was popular and has had a long tradition in China, there is a wide variety of luxurious wood used in construction. Lacquered furniture was popular with the wealthy and many these pieces were often favored by the people of power. The most highly prized of the woods were pear wood and sandalwood, with the latter being the material of choice for its longevity. If you are looking for a Chinese cabinet for your home, you may find that the majority of options open to you are those constructed in Elm, Poplar and Cypress. These were often the woods of choice in the more ordinary households.
Elm was one of the most popular woods to use. It is a medium dark wood, with a clear wood grain, similar to American Oak. Whilst this wood takes a long time to dry before it can be used, the grain is particularly attractive, and it is a hard, durable wood which is highly suitable for use in furniture. You will find many a Chinese cabinet made from Elm. If you find highly carved blackish-red wood in a Chinese cabinet there is a high chance that this will be red-sandalwood, one of the most highly sought after woods used in construction. It is now a rare wood, so you world not expect many modern designs to be constructed for this material. It is very slow growing, and most of the supplies in China were exhausted during the Chi’ing dynasties. It was from this period onwards that saw a mass proliferation of its use. Sadly, although some areas of sandalwood forest have been recently discovered, this beautiful wood is rarely seen today. Cypress also became popular for its longevity. Not quite as hard and durable as Elm, it still offers an excellent grain, and is more resistant to insect damage.
However, whatever wood is used in the construction, you can be sure of a beautiful practical design with Chinese wooden furniture, and you will have a piece which will be sure to look stunning in your home.