About Zitan

Zitan, in its raw form

Zitan, after applying wax

Among tropical hardwoods the most prized of all is zitan, an exceptionally rare species. Zitan is so rare that it is virtually unknown in the West, and until recently was thought to be practically extinct. Its tight grain and hardness make it so dense that it sinks in water. In ancient China it was said that the dark purple color of zitan resembled the color reserved for the use of Qing dynasty. As a result, only the imperial household was allowed to use zitan in China from the 17th to the 19th century. Zitan trees grow very slowly, and zitan wood has always been in short supply. Therefore, relatively few pieces of zitan furniture exist, mostly in museums or private collections.

Zitan furniture is so rare that when items become available they command premium prices. Recently, a 216 centimeter (7 5/8 feet) long zitan painting table and accompanying painting chair produced in 2001 was sold at auction in Beijing for 440,000 Renminbi, or approximately $55,000 US. Unusual antique pieces can command prices in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

1) Zitan background

Zitan (Pterocarpus) is a type of Leguminosae, a member of the rosewood family. The wood originates from the tropical forests of southern China, Indochina and islands in the Indian Ocean. Zitan is an evergreen tree, and grows slowly, reaching 30 feet in height and 10 inches in diameter after 300 years. Because of its extremely slow growth, zitan is only available in limited quantities. Zitan is further divided into two categories - da-yie-tan and xiao-yie-tan. Xia-yie-tan only grows in one region of the world, India and rarely grows to be more than 10 centimeters in diameter.

Objects or furniture made from ancient xia-yie-tan timber rarely appear on the international market. Da-yie-tan, though still uncommon and thought to be extinct, have slowly reappeared in tropical rain forests. The growth rings of a zitan tree are spaced so close together that they are almost impossible to distinguish without magnification. Zitan is extremely dense, and sinks in water. When new, objects made from zitan generally appear purple or reddish in color, but over time darken. Eventually the wood will become almost black, and the grain becomes virtually invisible. Although its grain is not as colorful and prominent as that of huanghuali, the subtle texture and coloring of aged zitan wood are incomparable.

2) Zitan history and furniture making

From the very ancient times, dating as early as in the 3rd century in Cui Baos Gu jin zhu (Explanation and Ancient and Modern Matters), Chinese have considered zitan the most precious wood. Perhaps because it is so rare, many more pieces were made from huanghuali than from zitan. Because of the particular scarcity of large zitan trees, large pieces of zitan furniture are exceptional treasures.

During the Ming and Qing periods, with European and American expatriates coming to China, zitan furniture first became widely exposed to the world. The export of zitan furniture started during this period. Some of the most exquisite pieces, which typically appear in international auction houses, are often pieces documented as missing in Chinese historical books. Antique zitan furniture is among the most expensive furniture in auction markets, mainly because there are so few pieces and the scarcity of the wood means that they are typically constructed to the highest standards.

3) Collecting Zitan furniture

Collecting zitan furniture has been an increasingly popular pursuit for furniture connoisseurs. Attracted by the high prices obtained for Ming and Qing period zitan furniture, some furniture makers had learned to give furniture an antique treatment and even produce counterfeit authenticity certificates. Some of these attempts are so convincing that even experienced collectors and experts are fooled. Genuine antique Ming zitan chairs command price as high as $30,000 at auction. Items represented as antiques but offered at lower prices are likely to be of more modern origin, and unlikely to be made to the same standards of joinery.

With antique zitan furniture pieces so few and far between, and export of antique zitan furniture from China forbidden by law, zitan furniture made currently but with the traditions and standards of old have become increasingly valuable. Fine examples of Chinese classical furniture exude the refined aesthetics of centuries of Chinese culture, while their ingenious construction and hardwood material provide durability and maintenance-free enjoyment. Simply touching zitan objects from time to time still serves as the most common preservation mechanism, providing natural oils that protect the wood and polish the surface. As the furniture ages, its patina darkens and deepens - zitan furniture truly gets better with age.

4) Construction of Zitan

Construction of the zitan pieces offered by Zitantique deviates little from traditional Chinese joinery. Our Chinese cabinetmakers are able to construct superbly designed and proportioned pieces without nails or screws, and with only a minimal use of dowels and glue, fully preserving the natural essence of the wood. The use of primarily mortise and tenon joints makes it possible for pieces to be easily dismantled for transport when required. This also protects the furniture from acute changes in temperature and humidity. If the furniture is rigidly constructed, changes in humidity can cause either an expansion or shrinkage in the wood and create stress on the joints that could cause permanent damage.

In order to minimize problems arising from expansion or shrinkage caused by humidity and other weather factors, our cabinetmakers begin by treating the zitan. After harvesting, the first step is to leave the zitan in a warehouse in log form. After approximately one year, the bark is removed to expose the wood and the wood is stored again in a warehouse to acclimate. Depending on the local climate in which the furniture will be used, the zitan will further undergo humidity and temperature treatment. Zitan used in Los Angeles, for example, will be processed to contain less water than that of zitan used in Florida where the weather is warmer and more humid. This process generally starts when a custom order has been received. Typically the log will be soaked in water with alkali for approximately 30 days.

The next step in the process of making a zitan piece is joinery and carving. Only the most experienced craftsmen are permitted to work on zitan. Often the value of the zitan furniture is dependent as much on the artisans reputation as the quality of the wood. Carving artists are often commissioned to complete the production of zitan furniture, and usually no one other than that artist is permitted to touch the piece during the carving process. Carving is a labor and time intensive process - a pair of Ming style official high chairs would generally take about two months to complete.

The last step in the process is the surface finish. When it comes to zitan, nothing is hidden. To evoke its natural earthiness and sandy grainy patterns, zitan wood is usually sanded finished with a clear polish or lacquer, and not painted. （Zitanqique)

Identification of Woods for Classical Furniture Classical furniture

Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty were the golden age of Chinese classical furniture. Its technique and skill had reached such a high level that had nevergained before. The adoption of the woods was one of important reasons, for those precious woods had hard and tight texture, beautiful and elegant color and nice lines.

Ming Dynasty's furniture is usually called Ming style furniture. Ming style furniture was mainly made of hard woods from India, Burma and southeast Asia, such as red sandalwood, yellow rose wood, Tieli wood and red wood etc.. These woods' colors are so elegant and their lines so beautiful, and their texture so hard and fine.

The style of formative arts of Qing style furniture is completely different from the Ming style. And the material used for the furniture also have a little bit difference, and the red sandalwood and red wood were the main materials for the Qing style furniture.

The identification of woods for classical furniture as follows:

1, Red sandalwood

The texture of red sandalwood is best among all those hard woods, and it is also the heaviest, the lines are not so clear. Putting the shavings of red sandalwood into wine, they will immediately turn pink and form sticky jelly, pouring the jelly down, it can become a long line. This is an effective way of identify red sandalwood. Red sandalwood grows mainly in India and also in Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi of our country.

Red sandalwood is one leguminous genus with about 15 sorts growing mainly in the tropical zone. Among those sorts there are two of them growing in our country: one is called pterocarpous, commonly known as small leaf sandalwood; another is rose wood, commonly known as big leaf sandalwood. The small leaf sandalwood has few big trees, their diameters mainy within 20cm. The small sandalwood's lines are not so clear and colors dark black. Generally speaking, the red sandalwood imported from India to China is big leaf sandalwood. Lines of big leaf sandalwood are rougher and colors lighter. Clear lines appear after polished.

Our country takes red sandalwood as a precious wood ever since ancient times. For it's too precious and expensive, its products are fewer than those of yellow rose wood. If it is used on the large furniture, it would be considered as curiosa for the material is really hard to be found. Although the red sandalwood is not so bright and beautiful as yellow rose wood, but not any other wood can match its quietness and elegance.

2, Yellow rose wood(Ormosia Henryi)

The yellow rose wood was the first choice for the materials used in Ming and Qing furniture. The color of this material is not quiet and not noisy, but just pleasant, comfortable and suitable with the lines changing vividly and loved by so many furniture fans.

The colors of yellow rose wood range from light yellow to dark red. Its texture is had and its beautiful lines are arranged in the shape of inverted "V". When sawn, it gives out fragrance. The yellow rose wood growing in Hainan, China is the best. Its famous feature is those lines, which appear as ghost faces, and the wood is believed to be the best, and that with rough lines and light colors is not so nice. Another feature is the big difference between its core and sapwood, the colors of the core are red and brown to dark red and brown, and the lines of the core change irregularly between black and brown. Its sapwood's colors are grey, yellow and brown or yellowish brown.

In ancient times there was not a name of yellow rose wood, just rose wood, and later people added "yellow" to it and called it "yellow rose wood". It was mainly for the reason of making a difference from the material so called "new rose wood" which is still largely used for the furniture. Because the rose wood from Hainan was used up in the late Ming dynasty, the materials used now are mostly those rose wood imported from Burma and some southeast Asian countries. As there are so many kinds of rose wood, their qualities are very different.

3, Chicken wing wood(Ornisia Hosiei)

There are 40 to 60 kinds of chicken wing wood, and about 26 kinds in our country, mainly growing in Fujian province. For its lines are very similar to the wing of chicken, it is named as chicken wing wood. The carpenters in Beijing think, there should be new and old chicken wing woods. The new one's texture is rough with purple and black blurred lines in between and the images being inert and having no changes. And the shavings are easily and stubbly broken. The old chicken wing wood's texture is fine and tight with purple and brown colors in between. There were few old chicken wing wood used for the furniture after the middle of Qing dynasty. And the new one has been being used till today. So the chicken wing wood in the market nowadays are mostly the new one.

4, Tieli wood(Mesua Ferrea)

Tieli wood is the tallest tree among the hard woods used for classical furniture, and its price is quite low. For the Tieli wood is tall and big, many pieces of large furniture use it, and sometimes use it for the back of the furniture and inner parts of drawer. Sometimes Tieli wood has figures like chicken wings, but rougher than that of real chicken wing wood, and so some business people of classical furniture sold them as chicken wing wood in the past.

Tieli wood is a tall arbor tree with the main trunk reaching more than 30 meters and its diameter more than 3 meters. This tree originally grows in India. Now it is also growing in Guangdong and Guangxi of China. Its texture is hard and endurable, its core is dark red. And its lines and colors are very much similar to the chicken wing wood, but much rougher than that of chicken wing wood. In the tropical zone it is used to build houses and in Guangdong it is used for furniture. It really wears well.

5, Red wood

Red wood is one kind of quality hard wood used mostly just after yellow rose wood and red sandalwood. It has so many kinds and names, for examples: Suanzhi, red wood, old red wood, new red wood, fragrant red wood, red bean wood, rose wood, new rose wood and old rose wood, etc.. In recent years there are still Brazil-wood, Thai red wood, Burmese red wood, Lao's red wood and Vietnamese red wood, etc..

In the making of classical furniture, people mainly use old red wood, Suanzhi and yellow rose wood, etc.. The old red wood is similar to the red sandalwood, but its color is a little bit too light and the texture not so tight. It has fragrance. But the modern furniture production is quite different from the old days, people seldom use Suanzhi and yellow rose wood but mainly adopt those so called "Burmese red wood", "Lao's red wood" and "Brazil-wood", even use new Tieli wood for the red wood furniture. Many woods do not have red color and red texture, but after polished, color stained and painted, people can hardly make difference from each other. If you really want to make sure what woods they are using, then you have to go to the workshop, this is the only way to see the real material used for the furniture before being stained.

6, Beech(Zelkova)

Beech belongs to one kind of elm, growing in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, also named as beech elm or big leaf elm. The texture of beech is hard and color beautiful. beech is widely used and it is quite precious. The color of old beech is red, and so called "blood beech" and also called "red beech". Although beech is harder than other common woods, it can not be counted as hard wood.

The texture of beech is hard with good colors and large lines arranged as peaks rise one above another. So Suzhou carpenters call them "pagoda motif".

7, Ying wood

Ying wood is not a name of the tree. While growing, the trunk produces knots, These knots are called "ying" in Chinese with the meaning of tumuor, and so the tree is called Ying wood. The carpenters in Beijing call them " Yingzi". Generally speaking, any kind of wood can grow knots, but the phoebe grows most. And the so called "grape face" is to describe the beautiful lines of phoebe's knots by strings of grapes.

8, Elm

The elm is also called "Baiyu", growing widely, mainly in the plain region of our country. The elm's lines are straight and large. The texture is a little bit rough and soft, and so it belongs to bavin wood or soft wood. It is easy to process and carve. The elm growing in Zhangjiakou and Shandong provinces is the best. The native folk furniture in Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei, Beijing and Tianjin are mainly made of this kind of wood.

9, China fir

The color of China fir is white or yellowish, with straight lines and fine and endurable structure. It is easy to process. It grows in the south such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and so Jiangsu style furniture of soft wood mainly use this kind of wood.

10, Qiu wood(Catalpa bungei)

Qiu wood grows widely in our country, mainly in the flatlands of the north. Its lines are plain and straight and the gaps between the lines are quite small. The structure is fine and the texture is light and soft. It is easy to process. The elasticity of this wood is small and not easy to shrink, so it is nice for making furniture. (CFhot)

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)

明式家具常用木材

中国传统家具多以较名贵的优质木材做成，这些木材均有不同的色彩和纹理，因此很少雕刻花纹，而且材质坚硬，木性稳定，能制出复杂的榫卯，以及刻出各式各样的装饰线条和花纹。所用木材有：紫檀木、花梨木、鸡翅木、铁梨木、红木、楠木、乌木、椐木等。











紫檀

最名贵的木材。生长缓慢，非数百年不能成材，主要产于越南、印度，我国两广地区亦产，但数量不多。木质极其致密，无痕疤。色呈犀牛角色，老者色紫，新者色红，有不规则蟹爪纹。木质坚重，鬃眼细密，年轮纹大多为纹丝状。老紫檀浸水不掉色，打上颜色一擦就掉，新紫檀浸水后掉色，打上颜色不掉。











花梨木

产于南海诸地及我国南方。质坚而不过重，色彩鲜艳，鬃眼细密，纹理清晰。老花梨又称黄花梨，颜色由淡黄到紫赤，且具香味，新花梨木色赤黄，木质粗，纹理呆滞无变化，无香味。制成的器物一般通体光素，不加雕饰，以突出木质纹理的自然美。











酸枝木

主要产于东南亚各国，结构致密，质地温润，纹理细腻，可沉于水，因为剖开后有一种略酸的香气故而得名。酸枝木在颜色及品质上的区分比较复杂，有黑酸枝、红酸枝，另外还有白枝和花枝，和其他的家具高级用材一样，在使用时用的是其心材。其中黑酸枝最为名贵且难得，真正的黑酸枝家具很少见，我们所见到的大多是红酸枝家具，白枝和花枝品质则相差甚远，少被提及。

以上三种为较名贵木材，特别是紫檀和花梨，而尤以紫檀为甚。
其他常见木材还有：











鸡翅木

又作"鸡鷘木"、"杞梓木"。因其纹理酷似鸡翅面而得名。子为红豆，兼有"相思木"之名，亦直呼为"红豆木"。又因木质十分坚硬，破料时常打锯，工匠们叫它"砂石木"。产于我国广东及海南岛。斜锯木纹呈细花，老者肌理细腻，有紫褐色深浅相间的蟹爪形花纹，尤其是纵坯面，纹理变化无穷，自然形成各种山水、风景图案。制作家具时，尽可能把纹理整洁和色彩优美的部分做在表面，以增添天然艺术韵味。新者木粗糙，紫黑相同，纹理浑浊，僵直呆板。











铁梨木

或作"铁力木"、"铁栗木"，别名"石盐"、"铁棱"。产于我国广东。呈紫黑色，木质糙而纹粗，鬃粗显著。树种高大，多用以制成大件家具。色泽纹理略似鸡翅木，有些鸡翅木家具的个别构件有以铁梨木伪充制成。











红木

产于我国广东、云南及南洋诸岛。木质坚硬耐用，较轻于紫檀，鬃眼也比紫檀大，年轮纹都为直丝状。老红木近似紫檀，有时具有墨色斑纹，但光泽较暗，颜色较淡，质地致密也较逊，有轻微的馨香气味。新红木色赤黄，有花纹，颇似黄花梨。其不如紫檀贵重，但产量大，选料时多取其最精美的部分，制成家具仍不失为上等器具。











楠木

色泽淡雅匀整，伸缩性小，易操作而耐久稳定。产自我国四川、云南、广西、湖北、湖南等地。《博物要览》载："楠木有三种，一曰香楠，又名紫楠；二曰金丝楠；三曰水楠。南方者多香楠，木微紫而清香，纹美。金丝者出川涧中，木纹有金丝。楠木之至美者，向阳处或结成人物山水之纹。水河山色清而木质甚松，如水杨之类，惟可做桌凳之类。"传说水不能浸，蚁不能穴，南方人多用作棺木或牌匾。宫殿及重要建筑之栋梁必用楠木，器具除做几案桌椅之外，主要用做箱柜。











乌木

产于海南、南蕃、云南等地。纹细，质重，坚实如铁。老者纯黑色，光亮如漆，久不变色。《古今注》谓："乌木出波斯"，称"乌文木"；《渚蕃志》称"乌楠木"；《西洋朝贡典录》称"乌梨木"。《南越笔记》载："乌木，琼州渚岛所产，土人折为箸，行用甚广。志称出海南，一名'角乌'，色纯黑，甚脆。有曰'茶乌'者，自番舶来，质坚实，置水则沉。其他类乌木者甚多，皆可做几杖，置水不沉则非也。"可见乌木并非一种，并有沉水与不沉水之别。此木无大材，多作镶材，可利用其颜色变化制成特殊效果的家具。











椐木

亦作"榉木"、"椇木"。木质坚固，木理秀美，色黄。产量多，江南民间普遍用做箱箧几案。其老龄而木材带赤色者，名为"血榉"。有大花纹，如山峦重叠，称为"宝塔纹"。有的榉木花纹酷似花梨木。明式椐木家具与黄花梨等硬木家具的造型和制作同样具有艺术价值和历史价值。

(iMing)

明清古典家具用材

明代细木家具的用材，是构成明式风格的一部分。因此在欣赏、判断家具年代和风格的时候，分析其材质情况和历史用材情况，也是主要内容。

明代家具用材，可分细木、柴木两大类。紫檀、花梨、鸂鶒木、铁力木、红木、乌木、楠木等均属细木，除楠木外又称硬木。榆木、榉木、杉木等都属柴木。从全国各地家具制造业和广大用户使用情况看，漆木家具占比重最大，但因为硬木坚固，容易保存，所以传世家具以硬木为多。本节所要说明的木材，也限于硬木。各种木材的特点分述如下：

紫檀

紫檀木是名贵木材，主要产于热带地区的南洋群岛，我国广东、广西、云南也有少数生长。其木质坚硬，体重，放在水里立即下沉。没有疤痕，呈紫黑色。《博物要览》说"新者色红，旧者色紫，有蟹爪纹，新者以水浸之，可染物。"从彩图中的家具实物照片中，可以看出它的纹理稠密，经打蜡磨光和空气氧化，逐渐演变成红紫、黑紫色。色调深沉稳重，有古雅静穆感。这是紫檀木家具的最主要特征。

使用紫擅制作器物，由来己久，东汉未年就见记载。到了明代，紫檀木受到皇家的宠爱。明代官方派员定期赴南洋采办，皇家储存了很多紫檀木。直到清代早期，宫廷制作家具，使用的多是明代的库存。清代认为紫檀是名贵木材之首，但是清中期以后，库存告罄，货源中断，紫檀紧缺。所以，清代中期以后的家具，就采用红木替代了。

花梨木

花梨木产于广东、广西，但数量不多，《博物要览》说："花梨产交（交趾）广（广东、广西）溪峒，一名花榈树，叶如梨而无花实，木色红紫，而肌理细腻，可作器具、桌、椅、文房诸具。"《广州志》记载："花榈色紫红，微香，其纹有若鬼面，亦类狸斑，又名'花狸'。老者纹拳曲，嫩者纹直，其节花圆晕如钱，大小相错者佳。"

花梨木又分新花梨与老花梨。老花梨又称黄花梨，材质适中，性温，不变形，有香气，色呈橙黄，有的红紫，有似狸斑的深浅相间花纹。明代高级考究的家具，多是用黄花梨制作。由于老花梨纹理漂亮，工匠们多采用通体光洁的处理，不作雕饰，以突出木材纹理的自然美，花梨家具华丽无比。

新花梨又称草花梨，色赤黄，木质疏松，棕眼粗，呈条纹，没有光泽，材质远远不如老花梨。

鸂鶒木

又称杞梓木、鸡翅木，也是贵重木材，出产在西蕃。我国广东、海南也产此木。此木质硬，苏州工匠有"木里含沙石"之说，破料时常常打锯，所以也叫它"砂石木"

鸡翅木的纹理、色调比较特殊，受光照的影响而产生变化，有暗红色，也有更重些的紫褐色。这也许就是北京匠师所谓的新老之别。新的木质粗糙，紫黑相间，纹理不清；老的纹理细腻，有紫褐色深浅变化，而且有光泽，如同鸂鶒鸟的羽毛一般漂亮。鸡翅木材数量不多，所以，传世家具也较少。

铁力木

也叫铁梨木、铁栗木。产于印度和我国的广东、广西。树木直立高大，直径丈余，质地坚硬、沉重，纹理细美，心材呈暗红色。它的色泽和花纹，与鸡翅木很相似，只是纹理粗些。用铁力木打制的家具，经久耐用。

铁力木因树体高大，所以材料也很宽大，适于打造大型家具。常见明式家具中的大翘头案，长达三米以上的案面，竟是用一块铁力木的整料作成。铁力木价格低廉，明式家具的大件多用此木。由于此木酷似鸡翅木，有些家具商，常以铁力木伪充鸡翅木，或在鸡翅木家具的个别构件上，以铁力木充替，真伪难辨。

椐木

或写成榉木、椇木。产于我国的江浙等地，木质坚硬，色纹并茂，其纹如天然美丽的山峦重叠，色如琥珀的黄花梨，是制作家具的良材。椐木在明清的民间家具中，使用较多。椐木家具的式样和制作手法，多取明式，与花梨、紫檀家具的式样和制作手法相同。 所以，椐木家具虽非贵重木材，但仍不失其艺术价值，极受珍爱者的欢迎。

红木

红木生长在我国广东、云南及南洋群岛，印度是主要产地。其木质的坚硬程度，和材质的重量，仅次于紫檀。红木色呈浅红色，但年久日深经空气氧化，逐渐会变成深红或黑红色，个别还能呈现墨色斑点。纹理细密光滑，并有轻微香气，表面光泽华丽。

清代乾隆以后，高级家具多数为红木。用红木制造仿明式花梨家具，表面确有花梨效果，往往乱真。仔细辨认，可发现它没有闪烁的斑斑金点和鬼面纹等花梨木的其它特征。

乌木

乌木产于海南、云南等地。性坚体重，纹理细腻，颜色黑如墨，光亮似漆，日久而不变。乌木材小，无大材，而且产量少，所以价格昂贵。因此，乌木家具只有炕桌之类的小件。但是北京故宫内，有一件乌木大罗汉床，镶粉彩瓷片，是清代家具，实为稀罕的珍品。

由于乌木量少材小的特点，一般多作台面的心板，或台面四周的边框，与其它不同颜色的木材搭配，形成深浅对比，或红黑成趣，很是新颖别致。

瘿木

瘿，"树瘤也、树根。"（《格古要论》）瘿木非指某一树种，而是指树根部位结瘤、或树干结瘤部位的木材。此处木材纹理特殊，效果奇异，历来受人喜爱。瘿木，实指木质纹理的特征。

瘿木，也写作影木。产于辽东、山西、四川等地。不同树种的影木，呈不同花纹，如： 楠木瘿--木纹呈山水、人物、花木、鸟兽状。 桦木瘿--俗称桦树包，呈小而细的花纹，小巧多姿，奇丽可爱。 花梨瘿--木纹呈山水、人物、鸟兽状。 柏木瘿--呈粗而大的花纹。 榆木瘿--花纹又大又多。 枫木瘿--花纹盘曲，互为缠绕，奇特不凡。

瘿木一般用作台面心板，可想，一件桌案的精致边框，配以自然成趣的瘿木台心，将是何等别致，新颖。

瘿木大材少见，仅见《博物要览》卷十载："余昔于重庆余子安家得桌面，长一丈一尺，阔二尺七寸，厚一寸许，满面胡花，花中结小细葡萄纹及茎叶之状，名满架葡萄。"现在我们所见的传世家具中，瘿木只作镶板使用。（大众收藏）