Furniture Breathes History

by Ben Moger-Williams

So you finally made it to China for a visit. If you stay any length of time, you will definitely get a feel for China's long and illustrious history. But when it's time to go home, you don't have to leave all of that behind. Why not take a piece of history back home with you?

I'm not talking about taking back a piece of the Great Wall or anything like that. Instead, why not consider a piece of Chinese antique furniture? Antique furniture is an excellent investment, increasing in value with age if cared for properly. The pieces are elegant as the style is timeless. A piece or even an entire set of Chinese wooden furniture adds a sense of history to your house, and makes a special gift for friends and relatives.

Most authentic antique furniture that can be acquired in China is from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. That is to say, the piece will rarely be more than 200-300 years old. Chinese furniture was traditionally made from several types of wood: mainly elm, rosewood, Chinese catalpa, cypress and sandalwood.

The most common and least expensive pieces are made from elm, and the most expensive from sandalwood. Popular items include tables, chairs, dressers and ornamental boxes. Antique furniture companies have teams of scouts that go out and scour the countryside for treasures. The pieces are not always in the best of shape, and have to be processed to a certain degree. Oftentimes, the pieces are first cleaned, sanded and any missing parts added. Then the raw piece is kept in a storage area, and you can look over the various pieces. Then carpenters and artists can modify or paint the piece to your specifications.

When buying a piece, the main thing to look for is wood quality and design. Elm is cheapest as it is not particularly hard and the wood is therefore more subject to frailty with age. These pieces are mostly for show and should not be used extensively. The more expensive sandalwood pieces are harder and more durable. These cannot only be displayed but also used as practical furniture.

The main difference between Ming- and Qing-style furniture is the design. Ming pieces tend to be more simple and practical looking, whereas the Qing Dynasty pieces feature elaborate designs and intricate carving.

Imitation antique furniture is cheaper than authentic antiques, but can still exude the same feeling of antiquity. It is often made by taking old pieces of wood and making pieces modeled after the antiques. So although the carpentry is new, the actual wood used in the piece is still quite old.

Also, since the wood is old, it is seasoned and therefore sturdier than fresh wood. Prices vary depending on the age of the piece and the type of wood used. A good place to look for antiques in general and furniture in particular is at the Beijing Curio City on the East Third Ring Road. Most of the places that sell furniture also have shipping services, so you don't have to lug your Ming stool with you on the plane back home.

Warning: Antiques that date before 1795 are forbidden for sale or export. Those dated between 1796 and 1949 should bear a small red seal and a Certificate for Relics Export from the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau (BCRB), to allow them to be taken out of China. The seal also proves the genuineness of the items. A word of caution: Keep receipts as they should indicate the name and age of the antiques if bought in BCRB-designated stores.