Description

Furniture was a relatively late arrival in Asia, where climates and lifestyles were markedly different from those in Europe.

But when colonial incursions conspired to bring about profound social change, Asia underwent a sudden flourishing of furniture whose like had never been witnessed before.

However far its adaptations may have been conditioned by external influence, each country imposed a stamp on its furnishing mode as unmistakably distinctive as its national flag or anthem.

Today these diverse styles are treasured by collectors for their ability to lend unexpected flourishes to Manhattan penthouses or grace notes to Parisian apartments, adding exotic touches to otherwise familiar surroundings.