Interlocking Chinese Joinery

Rebecca Erb

Interlocking Chinese Joinery

Chinese joinery are ancient techniques of making joinery without the use of glue or nails to hold them together. Techniques were seen in simple designs as early as 500 bc.

They are joints that are able to withstand a variety of changes (temperatures and humidity) and pressures, with the Forbidden City being a great example; it’s able to withstand immense earthquakes with minor damage. The joinery allows the wood to move and sway, expand and contract, without cracking the wood.

There are many different ways of interlocking pieces together to create a joint.

It’s a very complex and expensive joinery to use in modern cabinetry, but it sure looks neat.