Historical knowledge must be passed on, dealers say

The city's historic role in the preservation and trading of Chinese antique furniture should be passed on to the younger generation, dealers say.

The industry should educate the public about antique furniture so people would not be deceived by incorrect information, they said.

Because Hong Kong was a British colony, a lot of Chinese furniture with important historical value and fine craftsmanship has been shipped to the city for export over the years. Many items survived the Cultural Revolution because they found their way here.

Andy Hei, who inherited his furniture business from his father, said that when the communists took over the mainland in 1949, many people escaping to Hong Kong brought the furniture with them. This, he said, contributed to the former colony's rise to the centre of trading in Chinese antique furniture.

But collecting Chinese antique furniture first became popular in western countries, said Ho Hung-yu, who has been in the business for more than 40 years.

'Many great pieces were shipped out of China during wartimes,' he said. 'Most people make the purchases in Hong Kong because our quality - both the technique in restoration and our stock - is the best. The business of antique furniture has had a low profile, but the development has been steady.'