Bridging time: A dual path analysis of Chinese furniture culture from diplomatic exchange to digital narratives

The dual pathways of historical legacy and contemporary digital perception were explored relative to cultural communication in Chinese furniture. An interactive analytical framework was established, linking material artifacts with evolving audience cognition. Historically, Ming and Qing furniture shaped European styles such as Rococo and Chippendale, serving as cultural emblems in diplomatic exchanges. However, symbolic depth was often lost in translation. The “New Chinese Style” furniture continues this legacy, yet it encounters new challenges in global online markets. Through natural language processing (NLP) of user reviews from Wayfair, consumer perceptions were analyzed in this work across three cultural layers: tangible, behavioral, and intangible. Results revealed a perceptual asymmetry: international users consistently value material authenticity and visual beauty but tend to overlook craftsmanship and cultural narratives. Notably, attention to cultural narrative declined significantly, while emotional resonance and functional attributes increased, reflecting a shift in user priorities toward lifestyle alignment. To reconcile these gaps, a responsive strategy was proposed that includes: (1) dual semantic encoding—preserving traditional design forms while reframing meanings for global relevance; (2) multi-modal visualization—leveraging AR, process videos, and interactive interfaces to convey craftsmanship; and (3) culturally segmented design—to align diverse audience motivations with tailored messaging.