Chinese Tables

In early China, tables were built relatively low to the ground. From as early as 500 B.C., the Chinese sat on the ground to eat at a table. Chairs were not introduced until the 2nd century A.D. and came about as a foreign and Buddhist influence. Emperor Lingdi’s fascination with foreign practices led to the popularization of folding stools that were first used for hunting, but later brought into households.

As elevated chairs became highly demanded among the elite, elevated tables emerged as complementary furniture pieces. Some high-seated platforms that religious icons and scholars were seen or depicted sitting on were also used as tables – such platforms became popular during the Song Dynasty. Chinese wood tables in particular were not made using nails, but rather by fitting together joints with small amounts of glue and sometimes dowels.

Quick Facts

• To showcase the wood grains of the table, Chinese tables were most often decorated in a restrained, minimalistic style and were thinly lacquered. Harder wood tables like those made from Huanghuali and Zitan featured elegant open-work lattice decorations
• Because of the pickiness and high demand for mahogany and Huanghuali wood, such desired raw materials almost became extinct. As a result, these types of wooden tables are today increasingly hard to come by
• Raised platforms and tables were first used by only the religious dignitaries and the elite. Even then, these tables were still relatively low to the ground