The wisdom in the wood

The exhibition also explores how furniture embodied an elegant way of living, social etiquette and intellectual self-cultivation. These values were expressed through everyday acts, such as working at a table, sitting on a stool, or opening a cabinet.

Xu compares appreciating the furniture to walking through a classical Chinese garden. "As you move, each glance catches a fresh vista, and the winding path leads to quiet seclusion," he says.

Some pieces reflect the dignity, authority and adherence to established standards valued by the ruling class and high society.

The "official's hat" armchair is among the best-known forms of classical Chinese furniture. Its name comes from the curved crest rail, which resembles the winged hat worn by Ming officials.