<P>Within a few years of the Manchu invasion, Chinese craftsmen combined their highly refined design aesthetic with exotic woods, veneers, and lacquer to create some of the finest furniture ever made. <I>Classical Chinese Furniture</I> illuminates this fascinating and little-known area of Chinese decorative art from the period of 1640 to 1790. These beautiful stools, desks, chairs, and bureaus have become the fastest-growing area of collecting within China as impassioned experts rediscover the glory of their artistic patrimony. The heart of <I>Classical Chinese Furniture</I> is the presentation of 52 masterpieces that provide an invaluable lesson on the Chinese approach to aesthetics, craftsmanship, architecture, and culture.</P>