Two ancient cultures are recognized for their talent and development of woodworking, the Egyptian and the Chinese. Lu Ban and Lady Yu are recognized as the founders of Chinese woodworking, since Lu Ban brought the plane, chalkline, and other tools to China sometime between the 8th and 5th centuries BC. Many of the designs attributed to him follow the principles of Feng Shui, and Chinese art and architecture follow those principles even today. Experts acknowledge that Chinese woodworking is unrivaled for its detailed ornamentation.

Typically, woodworking begins with a large section of wood roughly the size of the finished product. The type of wood is chosen according to the desired results. Often, chestnut, walnut, teak or mahogany are preferred for general ornamentation, while maple and fruitwoods are desirable for the most intricate details. Pine is frequently used for less detailed work. Wood is always carved across or with the grain, though details carved with the grain will have fewer defects over time. For the most intricate work, finer grained wood is preferred. The first step in forming the detail of the piece is completed with a gouge, which smoothly removes large sections of the wood. Next, the artisan will use more precise tools, such as the veiner, fluter, or v-tool. Finally, the craftsman will use rasps, rifflers, and sand paper to smooth the wood and give it a polished look; hardwoods are naturally more lustrous than soft woods, so again, the chosen wood type is integral to the beauty of the final product. To protect the finished artwork, the artisan will finish the piece with natural oils to enhance the color and prevent dust and other contaminants from damaging the wood.

    Longjiang is located within the Guangdong Province, often known as the Canton Province, in China. Guangdong has the largest population in China, and is an economic leader for the country. This is fostered by the Canton Fair, which has occurred every spring and autumn since 1957. The Canton Fair is a major trade fair that takes place in Gangzhou, and one of the featured industries is the furniture industry. Guangdong's experience as a trade and economic leader extends much further into the past than that, however. Guangdong is a recorded major trading destination for Europeans since the 16th century. Today, it is a leader in manufacturing and exports.

    Additionally, we offer our products to our customers directly, so there is no interim business or dealer costs to cover. This ensures the most remarkable and distinguished products at excellent prices. Each of our products is crafted upon the placement of the order, and is shipped directly from the manufacturer to you. As soon as we receive the deposit for the order, Sara will visit the artisan who will be producing the piece(s), and closely monitor the crafting of the request. Delivery typically takes 1-3 months depending on the complexity of the piece, the availability of the crafters, and the expediency of the customs bureau.

    During that time, we will be in frequent contact with you. Upon the placement of the order, one third of the total cost is due and you will receive an electronic order confirmation identifying the U.S. customer representative who will be monitoring the order. The next e-mail notification will be sent when the order is completed and ready for shipping. This notice will also identify an expected landing date; the remainder of the bill is due on the expected landing date. When the order is assigned a tracking number for shipping, you will receive another e-mail, and the final notice will be sent by the delivery company to make the arrangements for delivery to your home.