Huanghuali: Exquisite Chinese Antique Furniture

Updated: 2008-03-26 09:17
It is about 1920s and 1930s that the classical furniture made of mild and unexaggerated wood was recognized again, especially after the book Chinese Huali Furniture, by Gustav Ike, came out. Since then, a worldwide collection of Huanghuali furniture has gradually spread out. After several phases, this furniture, used by rich people in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, has become the new favorite of Chinese museums, and also a kind of ancient art for people in our time to study and admire.

Huanghuali Chairs Made in Ming Dynasty

Tips for collecting huanghuali furniture

In fact, it is very difficult for ordinary consumers to distinguish the genuine Huanghuali wood, but the wood has its distinctive visual characteristics: firstly, Huanghuali wood is a kind of Chinese medicine, which smells like "Jiang Xiang"(Dalbergia). Secondly, with hard texture, the grains of the wood are clear and beautiful, vividly varied. Thirdly, scars of the wood, formed in the process of Huanghuali woods' growth, are much different from those of ordinary trees. These scars are called "grimaces", but not every piece of Huanghuali wood has such "grimaces" Finally, from the experiences of an old artist: Huanghuali wood shines like fireflies, and the water with its powder has a color of green.

By Ding Yujie