When it comes to the great classic Chinese furniture, the first thing that will come to anyone’s mind is their delicate oriental appearances and designs. But for the people who are a true lover of furniture from China, a factor that’s no less important is the material, particularly the kind of wood that is used to make these stunning beauties. For more info about kitchen from china click here.
Covered below is a list that will walk you through some of the woods that are often used for making Chinese furniture.
Red/Purple sandalwood or Zitan
Red or purple sandalwood or Zitan is a type of wood material found in China’s Hainan province. It is quite famous for its outstanding dark purple or red color, good density and a fine texture that allows detailed carvings. Zitan have intricate lines on their surface layers, so lacquer’s decorative method is not needed. They are very much sought after and offer a more natural sense.
Southern Elm or Jumu
Southern Elm or Jumu is more found in the Jiangnan or southern parts such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui provinces but the Jumu furniture is particularly famous around Suzhou. Jumu is harder and denser and the pattern that is found on its surface is more refined. The most distinguished feature of Jumu is its natural grain which gives the appearance of layered mountain peaks, often referred to as the ‘Pagoda Pattern’. Top quality Jumu is also known as Blood Ju / Xue Ju because of its reddish brown color.
Chinese redwood or Huanghuali
Among the classic Chinese furniture materials, the crown jewel is the fragrant redwood or Chinese redwood called Huanghuali. It is one of the most precious kinds of wood that is often used in the making of great classic Chinese furniture. It is the type of hardwood, found in the coastal provinces of southern China, particularly Fujian, Hainan, Zhejiang and Guangdong. This wood is known for its shiny texture, yellowish color and fragrance that win hearts. In fact, this is what makes it the most expensive wholesale furniture material today.
Northern Elm or Yumu
One of the most traditional materials for furniture making across China is Northern Elm or Yumu. They are typically quite strong in texture, very large and wide in size with strikingly lovely rough, wave like patterns on the surface. It is ideal for making chair seats or table tops where the patterns can be flaunted easily. The colors of Yumu Chinese furniture range from dark purple to brownish yellow.
