Chinese classical furniture

"At its most practical, the book tells you how to appraise classical furnishings. At its most pleasurable, it opens a window onto the culture of dynastic China--especially the eras of the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911) ... Hundreds of full-color illustrations of screens, couches, tables, chairs, beds, chests, and other furnishings are accompanied by detailed descriptions ... Five eye-opening chapters spotlight: different types of structures; decorative techniques; motifs and their symbolism; hardwoods, many of them rare; six traditional furniture categories, from beds to stands."--Back cover.