Step into the showroom of LA ZHU, Pearl of the Orient, and you are immediately transported into another world; a world that existed during the Qing Dynasty from 1644-1912. A world where kitchen chests housed live chickens, apothecary cabinets stored healing herbs and wooden or bamboo wedding baskets carried food to Buddhist temple ceremonies. Most pieces in this 4000 square foot showroom are well over 100 and 300 years old.
Westerners have been fascinated with Asian cultures for centuries, especially the Chinese. Chinese furniture is once again influencing design around the world. A renaissance of enthusiasm is emerging for elegant, clean lines of this multifunctional furniture. The revival of interest is due largely to two furnishing trends. One is recent interest in ethnic furniture and accessories; the other is the demand for more highly crafted antiques coming out of China. Designers appreciate the quality and craftsmanship evident in each piece of our hand made Chinese furniture.
You may choose from our impressive selection of apothecaries, armoires, gilded chests, cabinets, desks, altar and coffee tables, chairs, sideboards, rare opium beds, religious artifacts, boxes, trunks, textiles, dolls, puppets, and Asian influenced art and accessories with a modern twist. LA ZHU, also has architectural elements such as windows, doors, screen panels, and stone sculptures, which are themselves, works of art, usually depicting a domestic or religious scene.
LA ZHU, travels the Orient and personally hand selects furnishings, accessories, textiles, and art from China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Then we directly import these items to our showroom in Portland.
LA ZHU, Pearl of the Orient, has antiques that are just as we found them, left in their natural state. The majority of the others have been restored to their original majesty. While others, have had their look updated for modern living. These include wood stains that are lighter and more neutral enhancing the natural beauty of the grain. Our highly trained craftsman, use old world, quality techniques for the traditional red and black lacquer finishes, and they have developed painted lacquer finishes in blue, yellow, green, white, rust and black-brown. The new colors bring the natural elements of the earth’s environment indoors.
People appreciate the well-made, wonderfully proportioned, pieces, whether they are used to house a television set, or to hide unsightly electronic equipment, behind closed doors. The classic, simple lines of these pieces will create a peaceful, centered calm, in your environment.
Artwork by Teena Leonardi, and other contemporary artists, inspired by the Asian philosophies, enhance the extraordinary experience of visiting LA ZHU, Pearl of the Orient.