Welcome to our Antique Furniture Section
The pieces shown here are either antiques, or one-of-a-kind finds from Japan, China and Korea.
They are therefore available in very limited quantities.
Browse through and find out how you can add an original touch to your decor.
You can also call one of our Design Associates at 1 888 222 0195 for more details.
Just Arrived
Our just arrived section showcases many of the most recent unique pieces and antiques acquired by our buyers across East Asia.
We've organized the section based on shipments, allowing you to easily see the newest additions or find a piece from earlier they had their eye on.
The Process
Several times a year buyer and owner Dale Storer seeks out unique pieces and rare finds to add to the Greentea Collection. Each piece is hand-picked for its uniqueness, patina, and rustic quality. This collection features great diversity: Pieces that show incredible attention to detail, some that have intricately carved symbolic shapes and some that are clean, simple designs with wonderful wear.
These shipments are available online and in our Toronto showroom. Since new shipments come in frequently and they need to be unloaded, unpacked, photographed and put up on the site, there may be pieces in our warehouse that are available but not yet shown.
If you see something you like that is sold or need something that you don't see, please email us or call us at 1 888 222 0195 and we would be happy to check our stock for you.
Oriental Furniture
There are distinct differences between pieces from Japan, Korea and Northern China.
Japan
Distinctly different from other oriental furniture, Japanese furniture embraces the core of Japanese design. Solid and utilitarian, its minimal ornamentation and asymmetrical design allow it to fit in with almost any door.
- Japanese antique furniture features clean simple designs, natural wood grains, and the famed Japanese joinery.
- Traditional "tansu" (chests in Japanese) are the well known kaidan tansu (step chest) mizuya tansu (kitchen chest) and the sendai tansu (drawer chest).
- Cabinets are constructed from solid elm, gingko, or kiri wood, and are usually built in two stackable pieces.
- Hand-forged iron hardware and minimal ornamentation was common on drawer chests, while kitchen chests featured top and bottom extended beams.
Korea
Korean furniture depends on graceful proportions, skillful use of the natural features of wood, and a high level of craftsmanship for its beauty. It offers both highly decorative pieces with meticulously forged hardware, and minimalist pieces, made of solid, durable, woods.
- Korean furniture pieces are all variations on a simple box with only necessary additions.
- Utilitarian chests such as the Rice Chest and the Grain Chest were found in traditional kitchens and would be built of thick pine wood for durability.
- Highly ornamental chests like the Headside Chest and the Blanket Chest were used in women's rooms and took on female qualities.
- Symbolism was prevalent in these pieces - auspicious signs such as turtles, cranes and butterflies were frequently used.
- Exotic woods such as persimmon and paulownia were used for inlays on more expensive pieces.
China
Chinese furniture differs from other Oriental furniture by the frequent use of lacquer coatings, hand painting, and precise carving. To acheive this unique style artisans must spend countless hours perfecting their craft.
- Chinese pieces are usually large and heavy with minimal hardware. They are often lacquered or painted and contain some carving or relief.
- Buffets, Altar tables and Consoles were common and would often hold incense burners and other buddhist relics.
- Chairs were very ornate and came in several classic styles that would be copied with slight variations.
- Tables were constructed of heavy solid elm with curved and stylized legs. They were built low to the ground, as chairs were not popular and sitting on the floor was the norm.
History
Oriental furniture started to appear in North America in significant quantities in the early 19th century when trade with the east increased.
Chinese furniture was the most plentiful since China had the strongest trading relationship with the west. Expensive and ornate cabinets filled with mother-of-pearl inlay were very sought after by the rich and collectors of these new finds. The country furniture that is so popular and collectable now would have been considered too rustic and of low value back then.
Other types of Oriental Furniture from Korea and Japan took much longer to be introduced to the west. Trade was not nearly as brisk with these two nations and even the higher end pieces were not perceived as being nearly as valuable as their Chinese counterparts. However, in the mid 1900's Korean and Japanese furniture started to become collectable because of their extremely different styles.
People soon realized that all "Oriental furniture" was not the same. The now famous Japanese step chests and wheel chests were very unique and curious pieces, while the Korean headside chests and blanket chests were very ornate with symbolism - something never seen before.
Preview the July 2008 Collection
See a sample of the antiques that are arriving in July 2008.
The collection is very diverse - from intricate Tibetan pieces to stone statues, and Chinese antique sideboards.
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1 888 222 0195 |
Customer Service
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