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Looking at the many squares of embroidered silk hanging in the Shimu showroom or on our website, few would realise the fascinating meaning and history behind them. Beginning in the 14th century during the Chinese Ming dynasty and Europe’s Middle...

The chances are that when you think of Chinese furniture, you think of richly decorated pieces with a lustrous, glossy surface finish. This shiny coating is, in fact, lacquer; a hard coating which is applied to wood to give a...

Here at Shimu we are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of original antique Chinese furniture and as appreciators of all-things oriental, we love to see furniture from China used in film and TV. With this in mind, we thought...

As regular readers of our blog will know, here at Shimu we take great pride in using, where possible, reclaimed wood salvaged from disused buildings to make reproduction pieces. From wooden beams through joists and roof struts or doors from...

I've just returned from a visit to China, catching up with our suppliers and lining up another collection of wonderful antique furniture to ship with our containers over the coming months. This was the first time I had been able...

Dulux Colour of the Year for 2024 has been revealed as Sweet Embrace, a delightful blossom pink and chosen by Dulux for its ‘kind, delicate tone that brinks a feeling of positivity into our lives’. Now spring is finally here...

The world of Chinese antique furniture is a word where history and craftsmanship collide, offering us a fascinating glimpse into China’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Each piece, whether a delicately carved chair or an imposing cabinet, tells a story...

February 10th 2024 will usher in the Year of the Dragon, and the team here at Shimu wish you health and happiness as we celebrate this most auspicious occasion in the Chinese calender. The dragon, a symbol of strength, good fortune,...

The tumultuous decade of China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) not only brought about massive destruction and alteration of Chinese cultural traditions, but of China’s antiquities as well. Whilst the Cultural Revolution’s aim was to wipe out the old, some antiques did...