This unique publication sheds light on one of the most fascinating areas of Chinese Art. Chinese Furniture from the 16th-18th centuries is not only some of the greatest furniture ever made but also the biggest growing area of collecting within China itself.

This book is a multi-faceted experience appealing to collectors and experts, Western and Chinese, as well as anyone interested in furniture, aesthetics, design, Asian culture, architecture, interiors or simply in outstanding beauty and the extraordinary. It places the furniture in a historical context, tracing the trends and changes in collecting during the Golden Era of the last 30 years.

The main section of the book describes in detail 52 masterpieces – all exceptional examples of great rarity that would rival any in museum collections. These exemplary pieces have a universal appeal and teach us about aesthetics, craftsmanship, architecture and culture and have often affected, directly or indirectly, much of 20th century art, design and architecture. As well as an in-depth analysis of each piece there are a number of invaluable appendices that visually unlock the secrets of timber, joinery, regional production and the art of restoration.