WUSHIXINGLONG
伍氏兴隆
Our country’s furniture industry originated in the Zhou and Qin dynasties, was completed in the Tang and Song dynasties, and flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The furniture of the Ming Dynasty was participated by literati and supervised by the royal family. It used various woods from East Asia, integrated the sentiments of ancient and modern times, did not pursue complicated decorations, and followed nature. In the Qing Dynasty, there were imperial court-made furniture, which was exquisite in carving and advocated heavy utensils, presenting a magnificent scene. The furniture of both dynasties had their own advantages in terms of literary and material qualities, and both shone brightly for future generations. Since the end of the Qing Dynasty, the national fortune has declined, with internal and external troubles for nearly a hundred years. During this period, although there was “Chinese Rosewood Furniture: A Study and Catalogue of Ming and Early Ch’ing Dynasty Furniture” co-authored by Gustav Ecke and Yang Yao, which can be regarded as a classic, the art of woodworking still gradually declined. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was not revitalized. Moreover, during the Cultural Revolution, disregarding traditions, many furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties was abandoned and destroyed, and the secret techniques passed down through generations were almost lost.
Fortunately, since the reform and opening up, everything has been renewed, and the ancient wood industry has also ushered in its spring. The publications of “Research on Ming-style Furniture” and “Appreciation of Ming-style Furniture” listed and analyzed the old systems by categories. The fine materials and beautiful utensils of our China began to regain their brilliance. At that time, responses came from all over the world, and they were sought after like treasures. Moreover, Mr. Wu Bingliang from Guangdong Province planned early during the difficult times, devoted himself to collecting, and also initiated the business of restoration, improvement, and production. Taking advantage of the revival of traditional culture, he pioneered contemporary antique furniture. In the early 1980s, he established Wu’s Xinglong Ming-style Furniture Art Co., Ltd. Located by the coast of the South China Sea, in a corner of Taishan, he carefully selected famous woods such as yellow pearwood and red sandalwood, inherited the essence of ancient systems, integrated the achievements from the north and the south, and merged the styles of Guangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing in Chinese woodworking. With exquisite craftsmanship, avoiding the dross and extracting the essence, and innovating, there are many volumes of “Appreciation of Wu Bingliang’s Works”, which were published splendidly. Making the national skills not only exist on paper, his new creations are worthy of the ancients!
Wu’s Xinglong is a place of outstanding people. After thirty years of ups and downs, it has accumulated richly and made great achievements. It has produced thousands of kinds of chairs, cabinets, tables and couches, pushing the Chinese woodworking culture to a touching realm! Collectors all over the world are flocking to it. It is not only renowned all over the world but also shines in the royal mansions of the capital and is permanently collected in the national museums, and is highly valued by the times!
Mr. Wu Bingliang is dedicated and diligent, therefore he can master exquisite skills and have a broad vision. He was the first to advocate the key principles of evaluation such as shape, artistry, material, and charm, carrying forward the past and opening up the future, transforming the ancient into the new. The furniture art of Wu’s Xinglong has gained wide recognition and become a master and model in contemporary traditional furniture production! And it has promoted our country’s classical furniture to enter a new golden age. The merit is great and the kindness is great!
