Get a free estimate for your Chinese furniture

Do you own Chinese furniture and would like to determine its value? Our specialists offer a free 24-hour appraisal of your Chinese furniture, providing you with an estimate of its value on today's market and then guiding you through the process of selling it at the best possible price. They take into account factors such as age, provenance, state of preservation and rarity of the work to provide an accurate, documented estimate. 

The history and influence of Chinese furniture

In some regions of China, little stylistic change occurred between the 18th and early 20th centuries, due to the preservation of ancient patterns typical of traditional societies. Major developments such as the shift of trade to the southern coasts and the increase in cultural interaction mean that stylistic evolution can be more clearly identified. Nevertheless, this transformation of Qing style only concerns the large southern provinces, while the north retains a pre-modern culture, with styles influenced by the origin and diversity of its peoples. 

The Republican Revolution of 1911 is the only major indicator of the age of Chinese furniture, putting an end to furniture production in China. Social tensions caused by conflicts, revolutions, famines and population displacements made it difficult to produce handcrafted furniture. Although China has resumed furniture production since the 1990s, it has little in common with earlier works. Many books deal with the upheavals that affected local craftsmanship and antique Chinese furniture. 

The evolution of Chinese furniture

In ancient China, furniture was valued primarily for its utility and was mostly handcrafted, making it difficult to track the evolution of Chinese cabinetmaking due to the lack of detailed descriptions. The appreciation of furniture as we know it today seems to be a fairly recent aspect of Chinese history, and antique furniture is rare and scattered in private collections and museums around the world. 

The Opium War not only caused the loss of many Chinese treasures accumulated over dynasties, but also affected Chinese creativity. Cabinetmaking and other Chinese arts were transformed into a formless art, devoid of the creativity of yesteryear. Despite this, Chinese culture has continued to evolve, adapting to outside influences and finding new ways to express its artistic identity. The quality of Chinese furniture, in particular the lacquering and fixing methods used, bear witness to the excellence of Chinese craftsmanship, surpassing even that of Europe. 

Order of value of Chinese furniture from the most basic to the most prestigious

Knowing the value of Chinese furniture

If you own a piece of Chinese furniture or any other piece of Asian art, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. 

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Chinese furniture. If you are considering selling your piece of Asian art, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price for your work, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each object.