The Historical Development Of Furniture

The historical development of furniture has undergone a long process of evolution, from low-profile to high-profile, and from primarily practical to incorporating both aesthetics and function. Different civilizations, under their respective cultural backgrounds, shaped unique furniture styles and craft systems.

The Development of Ancient Chinese Furniture

Xia, Shang, Zhou to Qin and Han Dynasties: The Period of Low-profile Furniture
With sitting on the floor as the primary lifestyle, furniture was mostly low-profile. Typical items included:

Used for sitting or lying down, such as the "Jinyuan Wanxi" unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha;

A table for placing vessels during sacrifices, such as the Shang Dynasty bronze plate-shaped Zu unearthed in Yixian County, Liaoning;

A ritual vessel for holding wine vessels, such as the Western Zhou Dynasty bronze Jin with dragon patterns in Shaanxi;

A curved table for leaning against, with a painted lacquered Pingji found in the Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha.

From the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties: High and low furniture coexisted, with a gradual trend towards higher styles. Influenced by the Western Regions and Buddhist culture, high furniture began to be introduced, and "sitting with legs hanging down" gradually became popular. The Hu bed (similar to a folding chair) became an important representative, and murals already show combinations such as a couch with a canopy or a colorful canopy couch.