Zitan: The Emperor's Wood

A pair of Zitan Hunting Chair with Bai tong inlay magnificently carved.
Because it is such a hard wood, Zitan is extremely difficult to carve. Only the best craftsmen can work on them. Qian Long, a very powerful emperor during the Qing Dynasty (18th C.), known for his fine taste in art, only used the best craftmen to work on Zitan. More Zitan here. Available at Raffles Fine Arts. (Bangkok, Thailand) Images provided by Raffles Fine Arts.

Blue & White

Blue and White Double Gourd

Made in the republican period. (1912-1949) with 5-claw dragon
They are known as "china" in some countries because China was the birthplace of porcelain/ceramics making. These are some pieces I have in my gallery.


Thanks to chinoiserie Chic which I chance upon while i was searching for ideas for my new home. I love her blog and this posting inspired me to list some of the items i have in my gallery.
This book, A Passion for Blue and White, was recommended by Chinoiserie Chic is a wonderful resource, providing inspiration for blue and white rooms for all budgets.

Chinese tables...

A Ju wood Partner's deak with 3inkstone inserts with latticeworks at the bottom. This is truly a classic ming style.
Ju wood long painting table. Today most people use it as a dining table. Ju wood, also known as Yumu is a type of softwood. It is also known to the western culture as elmwood. It has broad and prominent grains.
Another ju wood painting table with canopy top.
Chinese Ju wood painting table goes very neatly with persian rugs too.

ZITAN: Purple Wood

Zitan Snack Box
A Pair of Zitan Book Shelves with Huanghuali inlay.

"Zi" means purple in Chinese. Some facts about Zitan:

• Very dense wood.
• Slow growing tree
  
• Takes 100 years to grow 6 inches
  
• Trunk is often twisted so it is very difficult to find large panels
  
• According to ancient Chinese text, this wood is often reserved for the palaces or upper class.
  
• Real collectors of Chinese furniture will only consider Zitan or Huanghuali
  
• Origins: Cambodia, Burma, Vietnam and South of China
• Very popular during the Qing Dynasty

Because it is such a hard wood, Zitan is extremely difficult to carve. Only the best craftsmen can work on them. Qian Long, a very powerful emperor during the Qing Dynasty (18th C.), known for his fine taste in art, only used the best craftmen to work on Zitan. Since Zitan was rare sue to its long growth period, the Emperor ordered all the Zitan available then and kept it in the imperial warehouse.

Ming Style Chairs

Northern Official's Hat Chair- possibly the most representative of Traditional Ming Furniture. Also known as the chair of China. It resembles the hat Chinese Civil officials wore then hence this name was adopted by Chinese scholars and furniture makers. During the Mind period, these chairs were produced in Suzhou, which was reputed to be the centre of production for the finest and best quality.

Love seat
A pair of folding chairs

A pair of Rose chairs in Ju wood (elm wood). Also a Ming classic and my personal favorite. They aren't at all comfortable but it's the simplicity that counts.
A roundback chair also known as Horseshoe armchair found via Evan's site. Purple Elm
Early-to-Mid Qing Period from Henan.

Huanghuali - "Yellow Flowering Pear"

Brushpots sold at Christie's auction. As identified by Christie's as "scattered ghost heads" Smaller pots circa 17th Century and the largest one 18th Century.

- A slow growing timber, Huanghuali, botanically classified as Dalbergia odorifera is a yellowish brown timber that has very abstract figured patterns due to its growth pattern. Huanghuali is renowned for stunning flowing grains which sometimes resembles Chinese landscape ink paintings or it could also appear ghostly.... What gives it that interesting appeal? It is the natural woof gum within the timber that gives it the three dimensional effect. Hainan (southern island)is known to be the only source. Highly prized and now extinct, Huanghuali is definitely a collector's choice when it comes to Classical Chinese.

It took me some time to truly understand it beauty and appreciate this fine timber. Nature has created part of the story and when superb craftsmanship is paired with superior material, Chinese furniture reached it apogee.

There are some new imitations we need to know. I will soon blog about it. Some new sources of so called Huanghuali were found in parts of Vietnam, also known as new Huali.

Classical Chinese Furniture

A Northern Official's Hat Chair seen above.
At last, Chinese craftsmanship is receiving its due attention and appreciation. When we talking about the Golden Age of Classic Chinese Furniture, it is presumably pieces only from the Ming(1368–1644) and Qing times. The craftsmanship of Chinese Furniture reached its peak due to prosperity during the Ming dynasty and hence there was a demand for finer things in life. Certainly, this included the one of fine hardwood timber such as Huanghuali & Zitan.