Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture (Ahmanson-Murphy Fine Arts Book)

Numerous books have illustrated Chinese furniture, but this is the first major work to reach beyond picturing collectors' trophies and place Chinese furniture in the context of the culture. The Chinese were the only civilization outside of Europe in premodern times to adopt a daily lifestyle based on chairs, tables, and other accessories rather than the mats, cushions, and trays prevalent in the rest of the world. What caused this movement up from floor level, and how was it reflected in the design and use of specific pieces of furniture? Further, how did it culminate in the creation of the magnificent rosewood furniture of the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties? A former curator of the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture who also taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, Handler discusses these topics and hosts of others in the clear, well-informed text. Approximately 118 color and 204 black-and-white images of single pieces of furniture and woodcuts from historic texts show comparable furniture in daily use. Handler has effectively woven the narrow subject of Chinese furniture design into the larger tapestry of Chinese life. Recommended. David McClelland, Philadelphia
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