Fellow Members :

I am always amazed at the intricacy and delicacy of Chinese furniture.

I recently read a book Chinese Domestic Furniture in Photographs and Measured Drawings by Gustav Ecke that Yueng Chan recommended.

The Publisher's Notes on the book are almost as fascinating as the book.

When the book was first published in 1944 there were only 200 copies produced. It was a large book. After all the descriptive pages there are 161 plates each 11-3/8 in x 14 -15/16 that contain the photographs and diagrams accompanying the text.

The author, while working at the Catholic University of Peking, had gathered the help of several people from various academic institutions around Peking. They borrowed, measured and drew these wonderful pieces of furniture, some of which were 400-500 years old.

The book contains photographs of over 120 pieces of furniture -- platforms, tables, stands, cupboards etc. -- plus hand drawn plans with cross sections and description of the joinery. There are also diagrams of about 34 of the classic joints that are used on these various pieces of furniture. Complete do-it-yourself guides –-- just choose the correct wood and add some considerable level of skill.

The designs are classic and timeless. You can go to Chinatown today and still buy identical looking pieces for use in your home. That good design can last for several hundred years is an incredible achievement.

I do not think there is an English equivalent. In the 15th century there was a great deal of fine woodworking in England but it was focused on beautifying the cathedrals and churches. You can still see magnificent fine carved lattice structures in the choir stalls and naves of many churches. But the furniture of the day was largely heavy looking. I do not think many people would want it in their homes today.

Do we build furniture today that will still be around in 400-500 years? Do we create designs that will survive the test of centuries? Do we even do new design or is our work mostly based on the designs of such a long time ago?

We use better tools, faster tools but good woodworking is timeless. Enjoy it.