Chinese Huanghuali Bullion Chest
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- 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 288
Visually similar items
Late 17th century oak coffer small proportions, traditional planked construction
An oak and mahogany mule chest of Georgian style with panelled back, front and sides and plain top, two drawers in the base, candle tray in the interior and raised on stile feet. 122 cm x 54 cm x 83 cm
Early 19th century Beidermier chest with long frieze drawer, two deep drawers below, within ebonised half round column supports on elongated block feet
A meatsafe, stained pine with zinc sides, Barossa Valley, 19th century unusual shaped and chamfered legs plus carved sides 147 cm high, 103 cm wide, 56 cm deep