Antique furniture reflects the various nations through out history.  With the world's different wars, vast travels and magnitude of discoveries made throughout time, you find diversity in the furniture of our forefathers.

Chinese antique furniture was most popular amongst the Europeans since China was the most important trader to the Europeans at the time.  Some reasons to the popularity of Chinese furniture were all pieces were hand made with unique carvings lacquer and hand painting. The furniture showed harmony and simplicity in the artisan's creation.  One interesting note would be that oak not only last due to heavy but also because the woodworm simply doesn't like the taste of oak wood.  The woodworm has been known to be a pesty insect in most woods.
                                                               
French Louis XVI writing table circa 1850.