Selecting the perfect vase for a flower arrangement is much like finding the perfect frame for a cherished photograph. In selecting a frame for a photograph, you'll want to consider the dimensions of the picture, where it will be placed and your own personal preferences. The same elements apply when selecting abase; size, shape, color and material are critical to your ultimate satisfaction with the result. 

The seven most common shapes of vases are: cylinder, trumpet or tulip shape, bubble bowl, bud vase, ginger jar, urn and shallow bowl. Among the tens of thousands of things at Man-U Imports, you will find vases in all of these shapes, as well as incredible selection of designs and colors.

Enthusiasts claim that Mahjong, at 30 centuries of age, is the oldest game in the world and that it was popular in the time of Confucius, who no doubt disapproved of it. 

Part of the appeal of the game is romantic, and part, intellectual. While the rules of play are much too complex for this article, Mahjong combines the subtlety of bridge with the virility of poker. This curious mixture of romance and aggression have shaped the physical characteristics of the Mahjong set itself. 

Mahjong is a popular gambling game in the Chinatowns of New York and San Francisco, after a short period of disfavor due to revolution disapproval; it is once again popular in China.

During a recent buying trip to Shanghai, we located a small cache of 1920's style Mahjong sets with hand carved tiles, with ox bone faces dovetailed onto bamboo backs. Included are carved bone counters, dice, an instruction book and a silk box, which were probably made in the 1970s. 

This is your chance to own what may be the oldest game in the world.

Creating Your Flower Arrangement

Whether you are using fresh or dried flowers when making an arrangement, a general rule of thumb is to cut flowers 11/2 to twice the height of the vase. An exception is with short, squat vases, which can handle flowers with practically no stems at all. Blooms cut short in a bubble bowl are also attractive.

It's also important to consider the diameter of the vase. Our preference is arrangements that look full and abundant, without appearing crammed. Lack of flowers make an arrangement look insufficient. 

The most subjective part of the process is selecting the color and material of your vase. You are sure to find a vase that suits your personal taste in our vast collection.

We're just received a shipment of Japanese/Korean style cabinets and other furniture from China. Each piece was handmade from solid Elmwood in China using traditional dovetail, ten on and mortise furniture-making techniques that guarantee quality and lasting value. The clean lines of these pieces are a perfect complement to almost any home or office door. 

If you haven't visited us for a while, please stop by to see what's new. We import dozens of ocean containers of quality merchandise each year, so were constantly putting new pieces on display. All merchandise is, of course, personally selected by our Chinese art experts, Dominic Tang and Frank Jang, on buying trips to various regions of China. 

71" W x 31" H x 20" D $795                               64 1/2" W x 65" H x 19" D Two-piece unit $1795