Brush holder

I have here a brush holder made of Huang Huali, a type of wood known for its refine grains and unique texture.

This wood was a favourite choice of material to make furniture in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Due to scarcity, the imperial courts would not allow people to use this wood privately. As a result, furniture made from Huang Huali can only be seen in the palace.

It was long considered that Huang Huali had already depleted due to massive tree cutting during the Ming and Qing dynasties by the Imperial court for building palaces and furniture. Due to the craze for antique furniture in the 1990s, the price of Ming and Qing antique furniture escalated over a few hundred times in the last decade.  Hence, people begin to take pride of owning furniture and other products made of this rare wood. All the things made from Huang Huali become hot items in the market.

Huang Huali wood is a highly sought after wood due to its characteristic wood pattern and attractive appearance. The texture is smooth, dense and very stable. A light fragrance will emit from the wood. This brush holder has a very smooth texture and a unique pattern of wood grains.


Scientific name of Huang Huali

A branch of Huang Huali being cut



Good wood seen after the cut

These days many traders also hunt for any small branches from the tree and used them to make into round balls for bracelets. Once a branch is cut, good quality Huang Huali appears in the centre and is surrounded by a layer of white wood. This wood is then cut into pearl-shaped items for making into bracelets, favourite items among collectors.


Huang Huali items

Just imagine, large pieces of wood is required to make furniture. The trees have to be at least 400 years old before the trunks reach the size required for large furniture like beds and table. Hence Huang Huali furniture is very costly.

Huang Huali furniture



A Huang Huali teapot



 

 

A popular Cantonese song to share:

 

http://youtu.be/4uBkWv8L0eg 上海灘