by Benjamin Harvey
There is no denying that Asian style furniture has become a big hit as of late. But though we are all quick to label it, what truly is Asian "style" furniture? The mass produced veneer covered European platform bed knock offs that we receive from comes from China and other Asian countries certainly is are not representative of Asian furniture style. So I've set off to refine this definition discover what gives Asian furniture its style.
Asian style furniture is really a broad term for countless, distinctly unique, furniture designs from different regions and time periods. One common refinement of the term Asian Style Furniture is Oriental furniture which typically refers to Chinese antiques and reproduction furniture. Oriental furniture is recognizable from its bold painted designs which often feature reds, golds and black. Typically made of rosewood, Oriental furniture is heavily lacquered to cover skillfully painted scenes.
Modern Japanese furniture designs can be recognized from its roots in traditional Tansu furniture. The word Tansu in the Japanese language basically means joined wooden boxes. Tansu furniture can be divided into hundreds of sub styles but by far the most popular is Kaidan Tansu which are stacked trunks which often form the shape of stairs.
Though the stair step design of Kaidan Tansu is sought after for its aesthetic appeal in modern homes, traditional it was used both to climb to lofts as well as for storage. Of course Japanese furniture style has produced dozens of other trademark designs including simple platform beds that feature Tatami woven grass mats. In general Japanese furniture features simple, clean, often boxy lines.
Southeast Asian Style furniture also has hundreds of sub sections that owe their origins to the great diversity of this region of Asia. However perhaps the most influential furniture styles have come from Indonesia which is one of the largest producers of furniture in the world. After the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the indonesian Rupiah became very weak which made Indonesian furniture extremely affordable for export. Because of the great value Indonesian furniture represented, Indonesia's export furniture industry boomed. Unfortunately it has boomed faster than regulations could manage and a great deal of overharvesting took place in the lumber industry, wiping out large portions of the Indonesian, Malaysian and Burmese forest. Luckily sustainable furniture organizations such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) have begun to step in to protect the region.
Traditional Indonesian furniture style features hand carved designs from bold, darkly stained woods such as teak and mahogany. Indonesian furniture artisans are among the most skilled in the world and produce elaborately carved pieces that are durable enough to last for centuries. The island of Bali with its lush tropical environment has created some more modern designs that have and unmistakably Island style with a traditional Asian flair.
So next time you find yourself in a hip new hotel or restaurant and you comment on the beautiful Asian "style" furniture, have fun with it and try and take your observation a few steps furniture. With practice and further research you just might be able to shock those around you with a more accurate diagnosis such as Tang Dynasty Oriental furniture or Japanese furniture from the Edo period.
http://www.tansu.net/ Features sustainably harvest Asian furniture from across the continent of Asia.
There is no denying that Asian style furniture has become a big hit as of late. But though we are all quick to label it, what truly is Asian "style" furniture? The mass produced veneer covered European platform bed knock offs that we receive from comes from China and other Asian countries certainly is are not representative of Asian furniture style. So I've set off to refine this definition discover what gives Asian furniture its style.
Asian style furniture is really a broad term for countless, distinctly unique, furniture designs from different regions and time periods. One common refinement of the term Asian Style Furniture is Oriental furniture which typically refers to Chinese antiques and reproduction furniture. Oriental furniture is recognizable from its bold painted designs which often feature reds, golds and black. Typically made of rosewood, Oriental furniture is heavily lacquered to cover skillfully painted scenes.
Modern Japanese furniture designs can be recognized from its roots in traditional Tansu furniture. The word Tansu in the Japanese language basically means joined wooden boxes. Tansu furniture can be divided into hundreds of sub styles but by far the most popular is Kaidan Tansu which are stacked trunks which often form the shape of stairs.
Though the stair step design of Kaidan Tansu is sought after for its aesthetic appeal in modern homes, traditional it was used both to climb to lofts as well as for storage. Of course Japanese furniture style has produced dozens of other trademark designs including simple platform beds that feature Tatami woven grass mats. In general Japanese furniture features simple, clean, often boxy lines.
Southeast Asian Style furniture also has hundreds of sub sections that owe their origins to the great diversity of this region of Asia. However perhaps the most influential furniture styles have come from Indonesia which is one of the largest producers of furniture in the world. After the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the indonesian Rupiah became very weak which made Indonesian furniture extremely affordable for export. Because of the great value Indonesian furniture represented, Indonesia's export furniture industry boomed. Unfortunately it has boomed faster than regulations could manage and a great deal of overharvesting took place in the lumber industry, wiping out large portions of the Indonesian, Malaysian and Burmese forest. Luckily sustainable furniture organizations such as the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) have begun to step in to protect the region.
Traditional Indonesian furniture style features hand carved designs from bold, darkly stained woods such as teak and mahogany. Indonesian furniture artisans are among the most skilled in the world and produce elaborately carved pieces that are durable enough to last for centuries. The island of Bali with its lush tropical environment has created some more modern designs that have and unmistakably Island style with a traditional Asian flair.
So next time you find yourself in a hip new hotel or restaurant and you comment on the beautiful Asian "style" furniture, have fun with it and try and take your observation a few steps furniture. With practice and further research you just might be able to shock those around you with a more accurate diagnosis such as Tang Dynasty Oriental furniture or Japanese furniture from the Edo period.
http://www.tansu.net/ Features sustainably harvest Asian furniture from across the continent of Asia.
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