Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

The development of traditional Chinese furniture reached its zenith during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Furniture in the Ming style combines simple, unvarnished design with precise, scientific framework, while the Qing furniture features exquisite carvings, diverse designs, and various decorative elements. Tables, made with excellent craftsmanship, compose an important part of the Ming and Qing furniture. Straight-end table for Chinese painting and calligraphy (pingtouhua'an) usually features a large rectangular surface wide enough to hold "treasures of the study" like the brush, the ink, the paper, and the inkstone. Square table (fangzhuo), as its name suggests, is a framework with a square surface. Besides a diversity of designs, this type also varies in size – some large enough to seat eight adults and thus known as Great Baxianzhuo (literally "table for eight immortals") while smaller ones called Lesser Baxianzhuo. And if you are thinking of adding these to your rooms, remember each of them costs a packet!!!

China National Philatelic Corporation will issue four FDCs, a souvenir sheet cover, and a commemorative cancellation respectively. Harry sent me this FDC dated 9.6.2012.