Roots and Foundations of Taiwanese Furniture

Taiwan in Retrospect ~ Article 1

How an Island Created Its Own Furniture Tradition

Taiwanese furniture was not a mere echo of southern China’s artisanal legacy. It is a story of arrival, adaptation and cultural independence. Before large-scale Chinese settlement, furniture and household objects in Taiwan were made within very different material and craft traditions, including extensive use of bamboo and locally available materials.

As migrants arrived from Fujian and elsewhere on the Chinese coast, they brought seasoned artisans steeped in centuries-old joinery, formal aesthetics, and classic design philosophies. These craftsmen found different forests, different materials and different economic circumstances. Over generations, familiar Chinese forms were altered and adapted to the new environment.

The traditional forms evolved, breathing in the island’s spirit. What emerged was no mere replica—it was the birth of a distinctly Taiwanese design identity.

01205 – Antique Camphor Bench

Originally from the guardhouse of the historic Lin family residence in Wufeng, Taiwan, this unique bench features two slabbed lifting-lid tops, thick paneled sides, and original square brass lock plates.

Camphor wood. Wufeng, Taiwan. Early to mid 1800. 78H x 188W x 50D cm

02006AB – Stacked Apothecary Medicine Cabinet

Sourced from an authentic 19th-century medicine shop in Tainan, this stacked cabinet features hand-carved calligraphy drawer fronts denoting traditional herbs, two upper shelves, and double doors opening below.

Camphor Wood. Tainan, Taiwan (Mid-1800s). 205H x 136W x 55D cm

0490 – Root-Cut Camphor Tea Table

A low rectangular tea table constructed with a Jya-Dung hardwood frame and an inset top crafted from a single slab of camphor root wood, prized for its dramatic swirling “flame” grain. It has modified horse hoof legs.

Jya-Dung Frame with Camphor Root Inset. Taiwan, Early 1900. 34H x 128W x 102.5D cm

9085AB – Carved Incense Cedar Armchairs – Pair

A rare pair of 19th-century Taiwanese armchairs featuring splayed back splats in three sections: top carved “fu” (good luck) panels, middle faded ink landscape paintings, and bottom abstract lotus carvings. Completed with a carved front apron and exaggerated horse-hoof legs.

Incense Cedar. Taiwan. Late 1800. 103H x 55.2W x 45.9D cm

0632 – 19th-Century Kulin Desk

This early-to-mid 19th-century desk features a solid Kulin desk. Two drawers are outfitted with distinctive circular metal lock plates and ring pulls, while a removable lower stretcher shelf adds utility and stability.

Kulin wood. Taiwan. Early to Mid 1800. 86.995H x 101.6W x 51.435D cm

01893 – Carved Splayed Altar Table

An elaborate camphor altar table featuring upturned ends (everted flanges), flower and dragon-head spandrels, repoussé-style ribbon and bat carvings on the front legs, and side drawers.

Camphor. Taiwan. Early 1800. 110H x 203W x 60D cm

03737 – Dovetailed Merchant Coin Chest

Crafted for traditional merchant use, this large 19th-century coin chest features dovetail-joined camphor panels, two top lifting doors, and sturdy rectangular legs with a rich aged patina.

Camphor. Taiwan. Early 1800. 72H x 190W x 50D cm

Article 1 of a 4-part campaign about the rich history and cultural evolution of traditional Taiwanese furniture. All furniture shown are part of the Bai Win Collection.