A Huanghuali medicine chest, 19th/20th century of rectangular form, resting on a raised base with baitong corner mounts, the two front doors opening to reveal a central two door compartment above a long drawer at the base and below a central drawer, flanked by a set of three drawers to either side, and below two rows of alternating long and short drawers, all fitted with baitong hinges, lock, plates and pulls, 73 cm high, 71.5 cm wide, 38.5 cm deep. Provenance, Tomlinson Antique House, Singapore, 3 July 1993, This lot is sold with a Tomlinson Antique House certificate of antiquity describing this chest as huanghuali and dating it to the Qing Dynasty, Compare with medicine chests dated to the Ming dynasty, illustrated by Wang Xishiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture Vol II, p. 172, plate E21 and E22
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- Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
- Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.
- 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.
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