Vintage Oriental Furniture
Vintage oriental furniture brings age, craftsmanship and individuality into a home in a way that newly mass-produced furniture rarely can. At Shimu, our particular speciality is Chinese antique furniture, sourced from different regions of China and chosen for its form, condition and usefulness in today’s interiors.
The collection changes as pieces are found and shipped, ranging from old cabinets and sideboards to tables, chests, trunks and seating. Alongside genuine antiques, Shimu offers traditionally made Chinese furniture in reclaimed wood and hand-painted lacquer, giving you several ways to introduce Chinese furniture into both period and contemporary rooms.
Vintage Chinese Furniture with Genuine Character
Good vintage Chinese furniture carries the evidence of its previous life. Colour can soften over time, lacquer can wear around handles and edges, and old elm develops a surface that cannot be reproduced quickly. Variations in timber, repairs and marks from use are part of what makes each antique individual.
Shimu works with suppliers in Beijing and Shanghai to find antique furniture from across China. Pieces are selected with present-day homes in mind and restored before being offered for sale, with the aim of retaining the patina that has developed over decades.
The antique Chinese furniture collection ranges from the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century, with stock changing as new pieces arrive.
Oriental Antique Furniture for Modern Interiors
Oriental antique furniture can sit very comfortably alongside contemporary furnishings. The clean proportions found in many traditional Chinese pieces suit rooms where excessive ornament would feel out of place, while old wood and faded lacquer introduce warmth and texture.
A low altar table can work as a console or television stand. An old coffer may serve as a coffee table with storage inside. Tall cabinets can provide generous storage in a bedroom or living room, while smaller side cabinets work well beside a sofa or in a hallway.
This ability to give an old piece a practical role is central to the way Shimu selects its antiques. Furniture may have been made for a very different Chinese household generations ago, yet its proportions and construction can remain highly usable today.
Vintage Chinese Cabinets, Sideboards and Chests
Cabinet furniture forms a large part of Shimu’s vintage oriental furniture range. Antique Chinese cabinets come in many sizes and finishes, from tall storage cupboards to compact side cabinets. Old elm offers a quieter appearance, while lacquered and painted examples bring stronger colour and decoration.
For dining and living rooms, antique Chinese sideboards provide broad surfaces with useful cupboard or drawer storage underneath. Their proportions also make them suitable beneath artwork, mirrors or a television.
Shimu also carries antique Chinese chests and trunks, including old storage boxes and coffers that can work at the foot of a bed or as low tables. These are straightforward pieces of furniture with a strong sense of age and purpose.
Chinese Painted Furniture and Decorative Finishes
Chinese painted furniture offers a different character from natural elm. Antique examples may retain areas of original lacquer, painted decoration and gilding, softened considerably through age. Colours often vary across the surface, giving each piece its own appearance.
For those who prefer the look of traditional painted Chinese cabinetry in newly made furniture, Shimu’s Shanxi Painted Furniture collection takes its designs from furniture associated with Shanxi province. Cabinets are available in red, black and cream lacquer, with individual hand-painted decoration and gold leaf.
The range works particularly well where a room needs one piece with stronger colour, whether that is a cabinet, sideboard or smaller bedside cupboard.
Choosing Vintage Oriental Furniture for Your Home
Start with dimensions and intended use. Antique furniture is individual, so check the measurements of each piece rather than assuming two apparently similar cabinets will be the same size. Think about shelves, drawers and internal storage, as well as door clearance and how the furniture will sit alongside existing pieces.
Condition is equally important. Old timber and lacquer will carry signs of age, and these variations are part of the appeal of genuine antique oriental furniture. Consider whether you prefer natural elm, faded painted surfaces or a stronger lacquer finish, then choose a piece whose proportions work comfortably within the room.
About Shimu
Shimu has specialised in Chinese furniture since 2003, offering restored antiques alongside traditionally crafted furniture made from reclaimed wood. Our changing antique stock covers pieces from across China, while our classical and painted collections provide further choices for customers drawn to Chinese design. Browse Shimu online or visit our West Yorkshire showroom to see the furniture in person.
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