Study On Table-Type Furniture Forms In Ming Dynasty

Parts and decorative patterns forms of table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty were studies in the paper. Pictures and historical articles were used for the better study on forms of table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty and summing up the characteristics of these forms, which will fill the gaps on forms study of table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty systematically. Results coming from the paper can provide references to theory studies on table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty and theoretical basis to identifying Ming table-type furniture and style design of modern furniture forms.Forms of table tops parts, leg and foot parts, connection parts of Ming table-type furniture were studied as objects to the research on parts forms of table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty. Illustrations analysis method and inductive method from constitute theory were used to analyze forms and styles of these three part types, and form characteristics were inducted. Then mathematical statistic method was used to analyze length to width ratio and height to length ratio of collected furniture samples. Form characteristics were deeply inducted in sentimental and rational levels.Forms of plant decorative patterns, animal decorative patterns, image decorative patterns of Ming table-type furniture were studied as objects to the research on decorative patterns forms of table-type furniture in Ming Dynasty. Illustrations analysis method and inductive method from constitute theory were used to analyze forms and styles of these three decorative patterns, and form characteristics were inducted. Then mathematical statistic method was used to analyze length to width ratio of collected decorative patterns. Form characteristics were deeply inducted in sentimental and rational levels.Results showed that flat type, concave type, inlay type, combined type and splice type were included in table top forms and the length to width ratio concentrated on1to4. Leg-foot parts forms consist of linear form, facial form and combined form. The height to width ratio concentrated on1to1.5of straight leg-foot parts and two symmetrical bends which separated the whole leg-foot into three average parts of curving leg-foot parts. In connection elements, corset forms included optical element, sculpture, inlay, lacquer and hollow forms. Length of corset parts was25to35times larger than width and overall shape of corset was a narrow ribbon-like rectangle. The optical element, sculpture, inlay and hollow forms were included in socket plate forms with an overall shape of narrow ribbon-like rectangle which length to width ratio of5to15. Horizontal supports have straight, curved and combined forms and were assembled in one third of top and under-part of leg-foot.Forms of plant decorative patterns consist of flower head form, cauline leaf form and flower stem form with length to width ratio of1to7. While single decorative patterns length to width ratios were1to3presenting of oblate-like square. Cauline leaf decorative patterns have length to width radio of3to7and overall shape was also presenting of narrow ribbon-like rectangle. Animal decorative patterns were mainly whole dragon patterns and beast facial patterns. Length to width radios were concentrated on2.5to4.5with ribbon-like square presenting in dragon patterns and1to3with oblate-like square presenting in beast facial patterns. Image decorative patterns were presented of cloud patterns, luckiness patterns and snake twisting patterns with length to width radio of1to3and presenting of oblate-like square..