Reason #1
The furniture style I like the best is Classical Chinese. Within Classical Chinese furniture, I am most interested in Ming dynasty furniture. From the intricate joinery and elegant designs, Chinese furniture was made to last centuries not only based on techniques used for assembly, but aesthetic choices as well. The advanced joinery that they were able to make given the period is not only impressive for the time it was built but even within todays standards.
Today I find myself enamoured by contemporary Chinese designers who are keeping the spirit of Classical Chinese furniture alive while simplifying designs for more modern times. The furniture is intrinsically Chinese without all decorative inlay/carving from the original pieces. They can grasp the rich cultural history while still being innovative in their designs. I hope to achieve this level of both mastery and design one day.
Here are examples of Classical Chinese furniture that I love, as well as new contemporary takes on them:
On the left you have a classic folding round back chair from the Qing Dynasty. On the right, you have the Cloud Rocking Chair from PUSU. Combining elements from the classic round back chair and a more western rocking chair, you get a piece that keeps its Classical Chinese elements while still being a modern piece.
On the left we have a Qing Dynasty huanghuali (rosewood) display cabinet. On the right we have a modern Chinese display cabinet by designer Shen Baohong of U+Furniture. Again, the influence is evident while making the design more modern.
As Classical Chinese furniture is one of the Classics, I can't talk about what influenced Chinese furniture design but rather the influence it had on later furniture styles. From the latticework in Chippendale, to the influence it had on lacquer work during the time of Louis XIV, it is evident that many furniture styles throughout history took inspiration from classic Chinese design.
Reason #2
Throughout this competency I tried various traditional techniques. One being marquetry, the traditional approach was done using a fret saw and a pack of veneer. However, the innovative technique that we can now employ is the use of a scroll saw. This allows us to gain better control of the saw blade and make more intricate cuts in small spaces.
Another marquetry technique that I explored was making traditional patera patterns.
Reason #3
I enjoyed how this competency was organized and delivered. I appreciated being able to learn about various furniture styles, as well as being taught as many traditional techniques as possible. At times it felt a bit overwhelming as I did not find I was always able to complete all the projects I was working on, however that did allow me to try as many techniques as possible within the given time frame.
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