Fine Chinese Furniture Wood Glossary

Zitan (Pterocarpus)

Zitan is very tightly grained, dense hardwood of the rosewood family, ranging from purplish-black to blackish-red in color. The wood originates from the tropical forests of Southern China, Indo-China and Hainan Island. This wood was exceptionally popular with furniture makers during the Qing Dynasty; indeed, the Qianlong Emperor had to issue an edict to prevent over-harvesting.










Huanghuali (Dalbergia Odorfera)

Literally "yellow flowering pear," this hardwood is the most common and one of the most preferred woods of Chinese furniture connoisseurs. Noted for the attractiveness of the grain, its reddish and golden brown hues, and its strength after being shaped and carved, this wood was ideally suited to the demands of Ming furniture artisans. Huanghuali wood predominantly grew on Hainan Island, making this material costly so it was used only for special furniture commissions. The best surviving examples of classic Chinese furniture were made in this wood.








Nanmu (Cedar)

This silvery-brown softwood was traditionally prized as one of the best materials for cabinet construction. Nanmu burl is typically used for decorating cabinet doors and table panels. More than thirty varieties are found south of the Yangzi River, Hainan and Vietnam. In addition to furniture, nanmu is used in the construction of houses and boats. Once dry, the wood does not warp or split, unlike regular wood, and can be sanded and polished to create a smooth, hard surface, making it ideal for furniture manufacture.









Yumu (Ulmus, Northern Elm)

Yumu is traditionally the most common softwood used in the manufacture of furniture in Northern China. The sapwood tends to be yellowish-brown in tone, whereas the heartwood is typically more of a chestnut brown color; both possess a striking, wave-like grain. This wood dries with difficulty, and is of medium density and hardness, making it an excellent medium for furniture manufacture.










Hongmu

Literally "Sourwood", fresh cut hongmu emits a strong sour odor when worked. Given its relative abundance, this dark hardwood was popular in the Qing period for creating carved furniture pieces. It can appear similar to zitan, though it lacks the rich deep grain and luster of this wood.













Tielimu (Mesua ferrea)

Trees of the tieli wood variety grow to be the largest hardwood trees in China and as such the timber was the least expensive for traditional furniture makers. It is typically employed for making large furniture items, and in the Guangdong region it was typically employed for building houses. This wood possesses an open grain and is typically brownish and grayish in tone.











Jichimu

literally translates as "chicken-wing wood" because of the jagged, feather-like pattern of the grain. This hardwood ranges in tone between brown and gray. As this wood and its relatives are indigenous to Hainan Island, the furniture of the neighboring Fujian region is commonly made from jichimu.












Hetaomu (Juglans, walnut)

This softwood was used primarily during the Qing Dynasty in the Shanxi region. While hetaomu encompasses a variety of species, it typically has an open-grain texture, with colors tending towards golden brown to reddish brown. These features make this wood well suited to furniture construction.












(CHRISTIE'S)