highly prized huAnghuali

Huanghuali literally means 'flowering yellow pear' and is one of the most precious woods in world.

The species is grown mainly on Hainan Island in China with the finest specimens having a translucent shimmering surface with abstract figuring. Interestingly its uses go beyond that of furniture construction - the wood is used for spices as well as a treatment for hypertension. It's said that pillows made of Huanghuali relieve stress and improve blood flow, though this hardwood is more ideally suited to crafting into high quality classical furniture. 

It is believed that as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907) huanghuali was offered as a tribute to the Emperor. However, it was much later in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when the production of furniture made from this precious wood really began to take shape. These early Ming masterpieces notable for their simplicity and modesty are highly prized today. As taste began to change, these early pieces developed into more elaborately carved examples. It was then not until the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) that huanghuali furniture production really had its heyday.

Huanghuali furniture has enjoyed a sharp rise in recent years due to a high demand and limited supply – of note is an article written in The Independent newspaper highlighting that “The price of huanghuali furniture has increased 25 times in the past 20 years,” (The Independent, 18 September 2011). The high demand is maybe easier to understand when considering that the numbers of new huanghuali wood originating from Hainan are now so small that they have been placed under protection by the state to prevent the wood from becoming extinct. 

asian art

AUCTION:
Monday 8 November at 10:30am
at Dore & Rees Auction Salerooms, Vicarage Street, Frome BA11 1PU

VIEWING:
Friday 5 November 10am to 4pm
Saturday 6 November 10am to 4pm
Sunday 7 November 10am to 4pm

Detail of Impressive Huanghuali Six Post Canopy Bed to be offered in the Fine Asian Art auction on 8 November, lot 256