Table of Contents

Preface
Long History
Bronze and Lacquered Wooden Furniture in the Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties
Dwarf Furniture Centered with Bed in the Qin and Han Dynasties
New Lifestyles Initiated by Cultural Exchange in the Wei， Jin & Northern and Southern Dynasties
Transition Stage of Furniture of Different Heights during the Sui and Tang Dynasties as Well as the Five Dynasties
High Furniture Centered with Table， Chair and Stoolin the Song and Yuan Dynasties
Ming—style Furniture of Hardwood—Classical Furniture during the Ming Dynasty
Qing—style Furniture—a Classic from the Qing Dynasty
Lingering Charm of Wood Texture
Hardwood is Valuable
Rare and Magnificent Hardwood
Plain and Practical Softwood
Other Materials for Furniture
Smart Structure and Precise Shape
Tenon—and—mortise Work—the Core Technique of the Chinese Furniture
Overall Furniture Structure Originating from Traditional Architecture
Furniture Forming Components Originating from Traditional Architecture
Reasonable Dimension and Elegant Patterns
Exquisite Design： Decoration
Most Common Decoration Method—Hot Wax Setting
Lacquer Decorations with Complete Techniques
Most Common Decoration Method—engraving with Special Care
Magnificentlnlay
Popular Decoration of Structural Components
Varieties of Moldings
Exquisite and Glittering Metal Components
Interesting：Patterns
Beds
Tables
Chairs and Stools
Cabinet—type Furniture
Boxlike Furniture
Screens
Rack Furniture
Root Furniture
Profound Significance： Culture
Regional Furniture with Diversified Styles Ming—style Furniture Designed by Scholars
Theory That "Man Is an Integral Part of Nature" Embodied in Furniture
Ritual System Embodied in the Traditional Furniture
Subjects of Decoration Symbolizing Good Luck
Making a "Home" for the Furniture—Indoor Layout of Chinese Furniture
Chinese Furniture in Western Countries
Appendix： Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties

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For instance， the middle of the top rail of a chair is slightly protruding， downward on both sides， and slightly outstanding at the ends.From another direction， after the top rail passes through the column.it bends slightly towards the rear part and outside.In this way， a natural and fluent curve takes shape in a three—dimensional space.This shape is startling similar with the profile of a building roof.There are some decorations in the shape of heap of clouds， dragon heads， or animals at the ends of the top rail of shelf—type furniture， that are obviously similar to the decorations used on building ridges， with only different images adopted.What's more， these decorations and the shape of the top rail have no structural function.
The bracket is a weight—bearing piece at the intersection between a beam and a column in traditional Chinese buildings.It is used for fastening and load bearing.Various aprons used in Chinese furniture use types of brackets.An apron is located at the intersection between bail and standing wood at， for example，the angle of intersection between a table—top and the four legs，or between the hind legs and the back of a chair or between the hand rail and front leg of a chair.