High officials sat tall and erect--high and mighty--well above the trite and common, according dignity to their rank. Mother of pearl inlays often embellished ancient Chinese furniture; pearls, jade, marble, and other precious stones and semi-precious stones were also smoothed into wooden surfaces.
傳統社會中，愈是高官顯貴或富豪人家，傢具愈見考究。他們選用上好的木材，延聘最富盛名的師傅，精雕細琢出堅實、精美、氣派的桌、椅、床、櫃等器具，不僅富麗堂皇，且可傳諸久遠。