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.
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