Q & A April 2005

"What is this (table, chair, chest) made from?" A Review of Woods Used in Antique Chinese Furniture.

The woods that were used to make the 18th & 19th century Chinese furniture are commonly grouped into two categories; hardwoods and softwoods. Furniture made from hardwood is typically more expensive and valuable. However, pieces constructed from the various softwoods are beginning to gain recognition.

HARDWOODS:

Zitan: Also called purple sandlewood, zitan has a close grain and is extremely dark and dense. It is considered the most precious of all the woods used for furniture and is extremely rare.

Huang hua li: Huanghuali, also called Indian Rosewood, originally came from South China, Burma, Sumatra or the Philippines. However, huanghuali is now extinct. The color, which is beautiful, ranges from light yellow to a purplish red. It has a very recognizable grain. Huanghuali was the principal wood used by cabinetmakers from the Ming to the early Qing dynasties. There is a new huali wood, which is used for furniture making today but should not be confused with huanghuali..

Chi Chi Mu: The translation of chi chi mu is chicken wing wood. It has a fine grain pattern of alternating dark brown and gray lines. It was never as popular as zitan or huanghuali so furniture constructed from chi chi mu is now quite rare.

Hongmu: Also called tzu-t'an or blackwood has been referred to as Chinese ebony. This wood was never indigenous to China and was imported from surrounding South East Asian countries it is a heavy, dense wood and was a popular material for furniture making during the late 18th and throughout the 19th century. Although more available than zitan or huanghuali, blackwood furniture is becoming quite rare and prices are rapidly increasing.

Burl: Like the other woods in this category, burl was imported from surrounding countries. However, this material was used mainly as an embellishment for pieces and not for primary construction at least not on any large scale.

SOFTWOODS:

Ju wood: Juwood is related to the family known in Western Europe or America as elm. It is an excellent material for furniture construction and therefore it was used extensively.

B. Nan mu: Nan mu, also called namwood, is similar to a large evergreen. It grows in Yunan and parts of Sichuan province. It was used for furniture and for the construction of houses throughout the 19th century. Namwood is a nice, light, even colored wood.

Chang mu: Chang mu is also known as camphor wood. It was used predominantly for making trunks and chests because the Chinese discovered that it's odor repels pests. It is pleasant looking but quite soft. Denver's climate creates many problems with camphor pieces cracking and splitting.

Bamboo: Bamboo is a versatile wood that once grew in many parts of China and was therefore available to furniture craftsmen. It is now much less available as the increase in populated areas has destroyed many groves. It comes in a variety of colors. It can be steamed to bend and curve, making it a useful material. While it was not particularly valued in the past, pieces made from bamboo are increasingly popular.

Misc.: There are several less important woods, such as one related to western pine, which were available to the Chinese in the 18th and 19th centuries. Most do not have an English name. These materials were used to construct the parts of furniture which were hidden and for many articles of daily use such as baby baths.

*Information for this article was abstracted from the following publications:

Shixiang, Wang. Classic Chinese Furniture; Ming and early Qing Dynasties. 1988, Joint Publishing (H.K.) Co., Ltd. Hong Kong.

Kates, George N. Chinese Household Furniture. 1948. Dover Publications, Inc. New York.

Our next issue will feature how to care for antique Chinese furniture in Colorado's harsh climate