A pair of sloping-stile wood hinged hardwood cabinets on stands, late 19th/20th century, (2) probably of zitan, with members of rounded section, the rectangular top with moulded edge above a pair of carved openwork doors with dragon medallions on a pierced ground of florettes, above smaller panels of dragons pursuing flaming pearls, and plain panels below, the decoration repeated on both sides, the doors separated by a removable central stile opening to reveal a single shelf, supported on the four main stiles joined by shaped aprons below, the separate stand with a lip-edged top above two drawers and a shelf below, the four slightly splayed legs joined by shaped aprons, fitted with baitong lock, lock plates and bail handles, (2), 171.5 cm high, 82 cm wide, 44 cm deep, Show Catalogue Notes, Catalogue Notes, An undecorated Huanghuali cabinet on stand of similar form dated to the 16th/17th century was exhibited in Hong Kong, The Dr. S. Y. Yip Collection of Classic Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong 1991 Cat. No. 49
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- Zitan Wood - Zitan is the most expensive, and since ancient times, has been considered the most precious of woods.
Zitan wood is the hardest and heaviest of all hardwoods. It is purplish-black to black in colour, and with a grain so dense it is virtually invisible.
Zitan can usually only be obtained in quite narrow strips and so it is rare to find large pieces of furniture made from this wood. True Chinese rosewood is a variety of zitan and is very rare.
- 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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