I. Ming-Style Furniture and the Choice of Wood
Ming-style furniture is renowned worldwide for its elegant simplicity, precise structure, and exquisite craftsmanship. Among all these elements, wood is the most fundamental. Wood is not only the skeleton of furniture but also determines its durability, texture, color, and artistic value. From the mid-Ming dynasty onward, as overseas trade flourished, precious hardwoods were introduced to China. Huali (Dalbergia odorifera), Zitan (Pterocarpus santalinus), and various rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.) became the principal materials for Ming-style furniture.
II. Overview of Major Materials
1. Huali (Dalbergia odorifera)
Origin and Environment: Native to Hainan Island, China, thriving in warm and humid climates, especially tropical low hills.
Growth Cycle: Extremely slow-growing, often requiring centuries to mature.
Characteristics: Gentle golden to yellow-brown hues with flowing, lively grain patterns, sometimes forming the famed “ghost-face” figure.
Historical Status: Due to its extreme rarity, genuine Huali furniture is now almost impossible to find outside museums and institutional collections.
2. Zitan (Pterocarpus santalinus)
Origin and Environment: Primarily from southern India, thriving in tropical arid regions with full sunlight and well-drained soil.
Growth Cycle: Even slower than Huali, often taking over five centuries to reach maturity.
Characteristics: Exceptionally dense and heavy, with deep purple to nearly black coloration, understated luster, and highly stable properties.
Historical Status: Revered as imperial timber during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, Zitan furniture survives almost exclusively in royal collections and museums.
3. Rosewoods (Dalbergia spp.)
A category of hardwoods noted for their darker color and robust density, primarily including White Rosewood and Red Rosewood.
White Rosewood: Light yellowish-brown to grayish tones, often from South America and Southeast Asia. Strong and durable, though visually more subdued.
Red Rosewood (commonly “Da Hong Suan Zhi”): Rich, deep reddish tones, the most prevalent rosewood today and the primary choice for reproducing Ming-style furniture and high-end hardwood pieces.
III. The Distinct Qualities of Red Rosewood
1. Basic Properties
Scientific Name: Dalbergia cochinchinensis
Origin and Environment: Native to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, often in red or sandy loam soils.
Growth Cycle: Slow to mature, typically requiring over 200 years to reach furniture-grade size and density.
Features: Dense, heavy, and fine-textured; highly resistant to wear and decay; ranges in color from deep red to reddish-brown, taking on a warm, lustrous sheen after polishing.
2. Grain and Aesthetic Appeal
Frequently displays dark streaks or hairline “ox-hair” grain, naturally varied in pattern.
Over time, the surface develops a rich patina, deepening its hue and enhancing its antique charm.
When used in the elegant, understated forms of Ming furniture, its steady coloration and natural grain bring out the refined classical spirit.
3. Comparisons with Huali and Zitan
Compared to Huali: Huali’s grain is more lively and ethereal but has become exceedingly rare, now seen only in museums. Red Rosewood is more available, with higher hardness and durability.
Compared to Zitan: Zitan is denser and darker but virtually vanished from circulation. Red Rosewood is more practical for furniture-making and offers brighter coloration.
IV. Contemporary Value
Today, Huali and Zitan pieces have become heirlooms of history, surviving mostly in museums and private collections. In contrast, Red Rosewood remains a tangible link to tradition. With its durability, rich coloration, and relative availability, it has become the primary material carrying forward the essence of Ming-style furniture. It not only preserves the aesthetic heritage but also offers collectors and users a meaningful choice in modern times.
V. Conclusion
The unique environments and centuries-long growth of these woods endow them with unmatched qualities. Ming-style furniture, rooted in such precious timbers and refined through masterful craftsmanship, has endured as a timeless classic. Today, while Huali and Zitan have nearly disappeared from everyday life, Red Rosewood—with its dignified presence and enduring elegance—continues to carry the legacy of Ming furniture into the present.