Abstract
The traditional Chinese furniture evolved as an important part of the Chinese culture and civilization. Alongside design, structure, ornaments, the original finishes applied define the particularities and value of traditional Chinese furniture. This is because wood finishing not only enhances wood natural beauty by colour, gloss and highlighting of wooden texture, but also can be a means of exquisite decoration (e.g. engraved, gilded or painted lacquer works). Chinese lacquer, Tung oil and Chinese wax represent some of the most important finishing materials employed and were, therefore, selected for this study. The paper presents a brief macroscopic, microscopic and FTIR characterization of these materials. These results will be used as starting data in a further study on the ageing properties of these traditional finishing materials, useful for scientific conservation purposes.
Highlights
The traditional Chinese furniture evolved as an important part of the Chinese culture and civilization [1]
Several dynasties are included in each of these periods, as detailed in a previous publication [3]. Among these it is worth mentioning for instance the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) in the Maturity period, when it is considered that Chinese furniture reached a peak of development in its multi-millenary existence [4]
The three finishing materials selected for this study were purchased from China: Chinese lacquer from East Lake CO., Ltd., Tung oil from Jin Xing Chemical and Chinese wax from Heng Hong Feng La Jiao Ye CO., Ltd
Summary
The traditional Chinese furniture evolved as an important part of the Chinese culture and civilization [1]. The history of the traditional Chinese furniture is divided into four historical periods as follows: the Youth period (possible BC 5000 - BC 770), the Growth period (BC 770 - AD 220), the Development period (AD 220 - AD 979) and the Maturity period (AD 960 - AD 1911) [2]. Several dynasties are included in each of these periods, as detailed in a previous publication [3]. Among these it is worth mentioning for instance the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) in the Maturity period, when it is considered that Chinese furniture reached a peak of development in its multi-millenary existence [4].
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