The History of Furniture Development

　　Chinese civilization has been passed down for five millennia, and furniture, too, has undergone a long evolutionary journey. As an integral part of Chinese culture, furniture boasts a rich and time‑honored history, during which it has given rise to a splendid and radiant cultural legacy. Now, let Xiao’er guide you through the development and evolution of furniture. Though time leaves no visible trace, objects bear its imprint; in the winding flow of the ages, fragments of history have been etched into each piece of furniture.

　　The Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods

　　In the beginning, we sat on mats— a tradition that dates back to the distant Shang and Zhou dynasties, some 3,700 years ago. Our settled ancestors first acquired mats, for it was with mats that people could sit and lie down.

　　Among the most renowned aspects of Shang and Zhou furniture culture is the celebrated bronze‑ware tradition; in particular, the “zu” of that era served as the progenitor of later dining tables and writing desks.

　　The Qin and Han periods

　　Because people sat directly on the floor and furniture was low to the ground, though kneeling was customary in ancient times, prolonged sitting remained exhausting. It was not until the late Eastern Han period, with the introduction of the hu chair, that daily life began to shift toward a lifestyle centered around beds and couches.

　　The “screen” first appeared during the Qin and Han dynasties. In ancient times, houses did not resemble today’s dwellings: they lacked fully enclosed walls, and their doors and windows were not particularly sturdy. People sat on the floor, and to provide both privacy and protection from the wind, they relied on a backrest or barrier—thus giving rise to the “screen.”

　　Wei, Jin, and the Northern and Southern Dynasties

　　During the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties period, internal conflicts among various ethnic groups nonetheless fostered cultural exchange across ethnic lines, leading to the mutual assimilation and blending of furniture styles. Both floor‑seated and cross‑legged sitting coexisted and alternated, while elevated furniture such as chairs and stools began to emerge. People at the time regarded the Buddhist monks’ dignified, upright posture as a symbol of reverence and solemnity, thus ushering in the “age of seating.”

　　Sui, Tang, and the Five Dynasties

　　During the Tang dynasty, Chinese furniture entered a new phase, shedding the archaic simplicity of its earlier classical period and giving rise to the elegant, flowing, and opulent style characteristic of the High Tang. By the Five Dynasties period, furniture design had come to favor simplicity, unadorned elegance, and a straightforward, dignified aesthetic.

　　During this period, furniture continued to evolve toward greater height, and the variety of seating pieces expanded. Notably, tables such as long benches, long tables, round-back chairs, and palace stools finally made their appearance.

　　During the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties

　　The Song dynasty was a pivotal period in the development of Chinese furniture, bridging the past and the future. First, high-legged seating pieces such as chairs and stools—designed for sitting with feet resting on the floor—became widespread among the general populace, bringing an end to the millennia-old custom of sitting directly on the floor. Second, furniture construction established the frame‑based structure as its fundamental form. Third, the arrangement of furniture within interiors began to follow discernible patterns and layouts.

　　Building on the traditions of Song‑dynasty furniture, Ming‑period furnishings were further refined and innovated, giving rise to a rich array of styles and forms. Characterized by meticulous material selection, simple yet elegant designs, rigorous craftsmanship, and well‑thought‑out, standardized construction, they gradually established a distinctive and enduring Ming‑style that brought Chinese classical furniture to its zenith.

　　Qing‑dynasty furniture was often designed to suit various rooms—such as the main hall, bedroom, and study—with meticulous categorization and clearly defined functions. Its principal characteristics include a dignified form, elaborate carving, substantial proportions, and an imposing presence, marking a departure from the simple, graceful, and practical aesthetic of Song‑ and Ming‑era furniture and establishing the distinctive style of Qing‑period furnishings.

　　Modern furniture

　　Beginning in 1902, official institutions and private entrepreneurs across the country successively established numerous craft bureaus and artisan workshops. By 1920, wooden‑goods factories and workshops, along with independent artisans, had proliferated nationwide, forming a substantial workforce of handcraftsmen. Consequently, furniture production witnessed the coexistence of traditional Chinese furniture and a new style that blended Western forms with Chinese craftsmanship.

　　Today, Chinese furniture has aligned with global trends while forging its own distinctive identity—characterized by clean, minimalist designs, crisp lines, a wide range of materials, easy-to‑fabricate components, innovative forms and styles, straightforward finishing techniques, and affordable pricing.

　　Inheriting a millennia-old tradition of furniture craftsmanship and adapting to the evolving times, we continuously refine our products to deliver greater stability in structure, moisture content, and physical performance. The result is furniture with an extended service life—truly the premium choice for custom‑made furniture panels.