Chinese Huanghuali Bullion Chest
A Chinese Huanghuali bullion chest 16th/17th century, the front composed of multiple rectangular panels, the three lower panels with carved decoration of lotus buds and prunus flowers. With original iron hardware., the wood of rich colour and patina, 33.46 in. high, 31.89 in. wide, 21.65 in. deep
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- Huanghuali Wood - Huanghuali is the most sought-after timber used in the construction of Chinese furniture because of its fine colour and grain.
During Ming and early Qing dynasties, most of the best furniture was made from huanghuali wood.
It is a member of the rosewood family and over time the surface mellows to a yellowish brown tone with the exposure to light.
In recent years, furniture made from huanghuali wood has increased exponentially in value. - Patination / Patina - In broad terms, patination refers to the exterior surface appearance of the timber, the effect of fading caused by exposure to sunlight and air over the course of a century or more, changing the piece to a soft, mellow colour.
As patina is very difficult to replicate, it is one of the most important guides to determining the age of furniture.
Patina is also the term applied to the bloom or film found on old bronzes due to oxidisation.
This item has been included into following indexes:
- Chinese furniture, timbers
- Chinese furniture, type or function - chests and trunks 289
