What is a cabriole leg?

By the time of the Han dynasty (202 B.C. - A.D. 220), the Chinese had developed several furniture forms. The most characteristic was the kang, a platform on which a person could lie to sleep or rest. The Chinese of this period grouped a variety of small stools and tables around the kang.

Later Chinese furniture falls into two categories: household furniture and the furniture used in royal palaces. Chinese household furniture was simple and practical. Palace furniture was larger, heavier, and more richly decorated than household furniture.

A notable characteristic of all Chinese furniture was the skillful manner in which artisans joined the parts. They used no pegs or nails and seldom used glue. Instead, they carved the edges of parts so expertly that the parts fitted together tightly.

By the early 1400's, the Chinese were using low dining tables supported by gracefully curved legs now known as cabriole legs. A cabriole leg has S-shaped curves, and it ends with a decorative foot.

Japan

How did Japanese architecture influence Japanese furniture?

Japanese architectural styles largely determined that country's furniture styles. Earthquakes occurred frequently in Japan, which resulted in the building of light, one-story buildings. In both home and palaces, the Japanese used small, lightweight cabinets, chests, and writing tables rather than large, heavy pieces. The Japanese sat and slept on floor mats, and so they used no chairs or beds. Their furniture was simple in shape, but it was beautifully decorated with colorful designs of flowers, animals, and scenes from Japanese literature. Japanese artisans lacquered the furniture to give it a glossy finish. This use of lacquer gave the furniture a distinctive quality. Japanese furniture makers also beautified their work with shell inlays and rich fabrics.

The Renaissance

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
What does klismos stand for?	\|	How did classical art influence Italian Renaissance furniture?

Не знайшли потрібну інформацію? Скористайтесь пошуком google:

Генерація сторінки за: 0.003 сек.