Chinese chair displayed at the 1904 World’s Fair

Furniture from northern China’s Ningbo region is known for its intricately carved vignettes, the use of rosewood, and a beautiful dark homegrown varnish that resembles lacquer. Since China had never before participated in a world’s fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company’s exhibit committee consolidated all of China’s exhibits into a display area in the Palace of Liberal Arts to allow visitors to see the range of the country’s culture and products.

Object Title and Accession Number

Chinese chair displayed at the 1904 World’s Fair. Unknown maker, ca. 1900. 1977-114-0001.