Chinese Classical Furniture

Chinese Classical Furniture

Classical Chinese furniture has a timeless appeal that never goes out of style. Our signature range of traditional Chinese furniture is handcrafted from reclaimed elm or poplar wood, and includes reproductions from China's golden age as well as more contemporary designs inspired by the same period. The range includes oriental cabinets, beautifully crafted chairs, Chinese blanket chests and much more.

Horseshoe Armchair, Warm Elm
£625.00

Horseshoe Armchair, Warm Elm

CT02N

This version of our horseshoe armchair is in our 'warm' finish, chairs like this one were symbols of status in Ming dynasty China. Known also in Ch...

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£625.00
Horseshoe Armchair, Black Lacquer
£625.00

Horseshoe Armchair, Black Lacquer

CT02D

Finished in our black lacquer, this horseshoe armchair takes its design from those of the Ming dynasty used as symbols of status. Originally used a...

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£625.00
Horseshoe Armchair, Light Elm
£625.00

Horseshoe Armchair, Light Elm

CT02M

The light finish on this version of our horseshoe armchair, accentuates the grain of the elm wood and complexity of the build, as all the different...

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£625.00
Tapered Cabinet, Warm Elm
£795.00

Chinese Tapered Cabinet, Warm Elm

CW08N

This style of Chinese cabinet, seen here in a warm finish, with the doors mounted on wooden dowels that fit directly into the frames and a slightly...

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£795.00
Tapered Cabinet, Black Lacquer
£795.00

Tapered Cabinet, Black Lacquer

CW08D

Cabinets like our black lacquer version were sometimes known as 'Scholars' Cabinets' as they were often used to store the books, papers or writing ...

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£795.00
Tapered Cabinet, Light Elm
£795.00

Tapered Cabinet, Light Elm

CW08M

With two removable shelves inside, our modern day light elm version is a great size to hold a stereo unit, or even in a bathroom for toiletries. Th...

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£795.00
Apothecary's Cabinet, Warm Elm
£1,445.00

Apothecary's Cabinet, Warm Elm

TK09N

Chinese herbalists have used chests, like our warm elm version, with multiple drawers, for centuries, to hold the herbs and remedies of their prof...

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£1,445.00
Apothecary's Cabinet, Black Lacquer
£1,445.00

Apothecary's Cabinet, Black Lacquer

TK09D

Our black lacquer apothecary cabinet is a slightly more modern interpretation of the classic medicine chest, with a cabinet section at the bottom a...

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£1,445.00
Apothecary's Cabinet, Light Elm
£1,445.00

Apothecary's Cabinet, Light Elm

TK09M

With a cabinet section at the bottom and 12 drawers above, our light elm apothecary cabinet is a slightly more modern interpretation of the classic...

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£1,445.00
Yoke-Back Armchair, Warm Elm
£495.00

Yoke-Back Armchair, Warm Elm

CT12N

Our warm elm armchair has the same beautiful curves and detail as our yoke-back side chair, including the dragon in carved relief on the curved bac...

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£495.00
Yoke-Back Armchair, Black Lacquer
£495.00

Yoke-Back Armchair, Black Lacquer

CT12D

Made from solid elm wood with a rattan seat our black lacquer armchairs would look great individually in a bedroom or living room as a statement pi...

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£495.00
Yoke-Back Armchair, Light Elm
£495.00

Yoke-Back Armchair, Light Elm

CT12M

Great individually in a bedroom or living room as a statement piece, or use them at the head of our dining tables. This light elm model is made fro...

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£495.00
Butterfly Drawers, Warm Elm
£545.00

Butterfly Drawers, Warm Elm

TK11N

The butterfly is a symbol of joy for the Chinese, and especially of happiness in a marriage. Traditionally it was used on decorative painted cabine...

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£545.00
Butterfly Drawers, Black Lacquer
£545.00

Chinese Butterfly Drawers, Black Lacquer

TK11D

The overall design of this black lacquer chest, with its slightly tapered outline, rounded frames and overhanging top, is inspired by the wonderful...

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£545.00
Butterfly Drawers, Light Elm
£545.00

Butterfly Drawers, Light Elm

TK11M

The three shallow drawers of this light elm chest are made with dovetail joints. The butterfly is a symbol of joy for the Chinese, and especially o...

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£545.00
Cross Legged Armchair, Warm Elm
£645.00

Cross Legged Armchair, Warm Elm

CT17N

Based on the classic Chinese horseshoe armchair but in a more colonial style, this lovely warm elm chair goes perfectly with our cross legged desk ...

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£645.00
Cross Legged Armchair, Black Lacquer
£645.00

Cross Legged Armchair, Black Lacquer

CT17D

This lovely black lacquer chair has the same 'S' shaped legs forming an hourglass shape at the front and back, as well as a slightly curved seat wi...

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£645.00
Southern Official's Chair, Warm Elm
£645.00

Southern Official's Chair, Warm Elm

CT01N

This style of chair appeared slightly later in China's history than the 'Yoke-Back' or 'Official's Hat' chair. The main development was that the to...

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£645.00
Southern Official's Chair, Black Lacquer
£645.00

Southern Official's Chair, Black Lacquer

CT01D

Our black lacquer chair has a rattan covered seat and curved backrest for comfort. The backrest has a scrolling dragon motif in carved relief, whil...

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£645.00
Wall Mirror, Warm Elm
£395.00

Wall Mirror, Warm Elm

CSW07N

These lovely wall mirrors, here finished in our warm colour, have a bevelled frame in solid elm wood and bevelled glass. They include fittings on t...

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£395.00
Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer
£395.00

Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer

CSW07D

Finished in our black lacquer, this lovely wall mirror has bevelled glass and frame in solid elm wood. They include fittings on the back of the fra...

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£395.00
Wall Mirror, Light Elm
£395.00

Wall Mirror, Light Elm

CSW07M

Combine this lovely light elm mirror with our scholars desk to make a stunning dressing table set. Made from solid wood and having a bevelled frame...

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£395.00
Horseshoe Armchair, Black Lacquer Sold
£625.00

Horseshoe Armchair, Black Lacquer - Clearance

CT02DXX

Finished in our black lacquer, this horseshoe armchair takes its design from those of the Ming dynasty used as symbols of status. Originally used a...

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£625.00
Sold
Oversized Black Lacquer Square Trunk New
£495.00

Oversized Black Lacquer Square Trunk

TK02DL

This oversized version of our square trunks is in a large cube shape and is a great size to be used as a side table, with a large amount of storage...

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£495.00

The history of Chinese Classical Furniture

Classical Chinese furniture refers to a style and an aesthetic taste, of restraint, balance and grandeur, rather than to a particular period. Plain hardwoods, like the reclaimed woods we use for these reproductions, were always accorded high esteem by Chinese craftsmen from the Qing dynasties onwards. Trade had recently opened, and tropical hardwoods from South-East Asia were beginning to be imported. It was these strong hardwoods which allowed the craftsmen to create austere, slender legged chairs and tables which showed off the beauty of the precious wood, alongside the lacquered furniture which was equally prized. Here at Shimu, we’re very happy to be continuing the tradition of Chinese classical furniture, and to be bringing you these beautiful pieces of furniture to show off in your home.

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