History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c35.s1.30

v1.c35.s1.30

The most familiar types of chairs were known in Egypt, Greece and Rome in ivory, metal, stone and wood. The well-known folding or ‘X’ type chair commonly found in the Egyptian tombs was often carved with animal forms and covered with skin. This Egyptian furniture has possibly become the basis of all the later styles. In India, China and Japan furniture of brass, bronze and iron of great antiquity are found. Stone furniture was also not uncommon. However, wood is probably the only material used most commonly and it appears that metals did not find favour with Indians as it did with ancient Greeks and Romans in the fashioning of furniture. This may just as well be due to the availability of excellent quality of wood within the country itself.