Surviving the Cultural Revolution: The Preservation of Chinese Antique Furniture

The tumultuous decade of China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) not only brought about massive destruction and alteration of Chinese cultural traditions, but of China’s antiquities as well. Whilst the Cultural Revolution’s aim was to wipe out the old, some antiques did survive this troubled period. This was often due to ingenious alterations aligning them with Revolutionary ideals or fortuitous circumstances sparing them from ruin. This complex legacy continues to intrigue historians and collectors today.

Altering Furniture to Accommodate New Ideals

During the Cultural Revolution in China, few historical sites or artefacts remained unscathed from the rampages of the Red Guards. In their zeal to eradicate symbols of China's feudal past, the youth destroyed religious shrines, libraries, monuments and tombs across the country. Even Beijing's famous Forbidden City barely escaped damage. One tragic case was the Ming Dynasty tomb of Emperor Wan Li, which was ransacked and burned, the remains of the emperor and empress denounced in public spectacle.

Many other imperial tombs suffered similar fates. According to one account, of the thousands of historically significant sites catalogued in Beijing before the Revolution, over two-thirds were severely damaged or demolished as collateral damage. With fanatical disregard for preserving China's cultural inheritance, the Red Guards left deep scars on the historical landscape. Their legacy was the squandering of antiquities which had endured centuries of dynastic change only to face eradication in a storm of revolutionary fervour.

Qing dynasty rosewood chairs and tables, for example, often feature carved dragons, an imperial symbol. During the Revolution, artisans transformed symbols such as dragons into carvings of pigs, representing peasants and the working class now elevated under Communism. Other furniture pieces were carved or painted over to display more “on message” sayings such as “Long live Chairman Mao” or to show imagery of soldiers, workers, and peasants to reflect the new sociopolitical landscape. The red lacquer shown cabinet here was altered, with bold new characters painted over the surface that essentially translate as "Protect The Homeland" - a nationalist slogan that was obviously enough to save the cabinet from the furnace. Alterations like these ensured that some antiquities survived despite their “bourgeois” roots.

Geographic and Functional Factors Enabling Preservation

Geography and functionality also allowed the preservation of certain Chinese furniture types. The need for steel to progress industrial development during this period meant that whilst also burning around 10 percent of China’s forests to stoke the furnaces, many workers resorted to burning doors, window frames and furniture in ‘backyard’ furnaces to smelt steel. Interestingly, Shanxi province’s renown for coal mining meant less reliance on burning wooden furniture for fuel, so cities like Pingyao managed to retain a relatively high proportion of Shanxi-style campaign furniture. The simplicity and portable nature of such pieces also made them less overt symbols of the privilege and excess targeted in the Revolution. Their practicality for ordinary Chinese citizens spared them from demolition.

Whether you already love the unique charm of Chinese antique Shanxi furniture or have only just discovered these beautiful pieces and their interesting history, you’ll find that our range of antique furniture includes an ever-changing selection of items from the region, including colourful examples of the famous Shanxi painted furniture.

Hidden Away Until Political Winds Changed

Beyond furniture altered to accommodate the new ideological climate, some Chinese antiques endured simply by being hidden away. Many elite families concealed furniture in attics, storerooms, or even soaked in wells covered with wood planking and fabric. After the political zeal of the 1960s faded, they returned these pieces to their homes. The secrecy of these activities leaves a mystery as to how many antiques remain undiscovered in hiding spots even today. Stories persist of furniture uncovered decades later with strains of fabric still adhered to their surfaces from their concealment during those volatile years.

Shimu's Discerning Selection and Meticulous Restoration Process

At Shimu we go beyond merely reselling antique Chinese furniture. We take great care to select pieces that meet our high standards, before meticulously restoring them for contemporary use. We work with a team of experienced antiques specialists in China who carefully hand-pick items which demonstrate fine craftsmanship and materials as well as having compelling historical significance. We source items from across China, establishing relationships with long-time collectors and restorers to access special pieces not available elsewhere.

Once selected, items undergo a multi-step restoration process carried out by skilled craftsmen. If required but only if absolutely necessary, a piece will be disassembled to repair structural damage and cleaned with a wire brush to remove surface grime. It will then be reassembled with new joinery if required, using the traditional wooden joints used in Chinese furniture making for centuries. Where restoration has been deemed necessary, it is carried out with the aim of maintaining the original patina of the piece if possible and to ensure that none of the unique charm is lost. In addition, the restorer will sometimes make minor alterations to ensure antique furniture items are suitable for use in contemporary homes, making adjustments to improve their practicality; one such example is the addition of internal shelves.

Shimu's Range of Historic Chinese Furniture

At Shimu we offer a wide selection of carefully selected antique Chinese furniture that survived the Cultural Revolution through alteration, fortunate placement, or concealment. From Ming dynasty style altar tables to Qing dynasty horseshoe-back chairs, our offerings span many styles and provinces. Each piece’s unique story gives additional insight into China’s cultural legacy. When you purchase from Shimu’s catalogue of antique Chinese furniture, you invest not just in finely crafted furnishings, but also in preserving the hard-won survival of China’s artistic heritage through even its most troubling eras.