Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture
Numerous books have illustrated Chinese furniture, but this is  the first major work to reach beyond picturing collectors'  trophies and place Chinese furniture in the context of the  culture. The Chinese were the only civilization outside of  Europe in premodern times to adopt a daily lifestyle based on  chairs, tables, and other accessories rather than the mats,  cushions, and trays prevalent in the rest of the world. What  caused this movement up from floor level, and how was it  reflected in the design and use of specific pieces of furniture?  Further, how did it culminate in the creation of the magnificent  rosewood furniture of the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties? A  former curator of the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture who  also taught at the University of California, Los Angeles,  Handler discusses these topics and hosts of others in the clear,  well-informed text. Approximately 118 color and 204  black-and-white images of single pieces of furniture and  woodcuts from historic texts show comparable furniture in daily  use. Handler has effectively woven the narrow subject of Chinese  furniture design into the larger tapestry of Chinese life.  Recommended. David McClelland, PhiladelphiaCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.