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Redwood is a type of furniture material that many Chinese people are familiar with, yet few truly understand the differences between mahogany, rosewood, and other similar woods. This week, the reporter visited the “Good Wood Accord†located in the Central Commercial Street of Tuancheng Mountain and spoke with an expert well-known in the Huangshi Wenhua circle.
Redwood refers to a group of hardwoods native to Southeast Asia, as well as regions like Hainan, Guangdong, and Yunnan in China. It is characterized by a clear distinction between its sapwood and heartwood—sapwood is typically narrow and grayish white, while the heartwood ranges from yellowish red to deep red, darkening to purple when exposed to air. The wood features beautiful grain patterns, is hard, durable, and commonly used for high-value furniture and handicrafts. In Guangdong, it is often referred to as "sourwood."
The range of redwoods includes five major types: Hainan huanghuali, sandalwood rosewood, red rosewood, and nanmu, among others. Among these, Hainan huanghuali, sandalwood rosewood, and red rosewood are the most widely recognized.
**Dalbergia – Hainan Huanghua Pear**
Hainan huanghuali, also known as "huanghuali," typically takes around 500 years to mature. Due to its rarity, it is now nearly impossible to find on the regular market, with most pieces entering the auction or private collection sphere. Only the heartwood is usable, and even a thick section might yield just a single chopstick-sized piece. This scarcity makes it extremely valuable. Its elegant grain pattern has made it popular for furniture such as chairs, meditation seats, hanging lamps, small strips, book rolls, southern official hat chairs, and round chairs. There are two types of huanghuali: one with a more natural texture and another with oil content. The former is considered more aesthetically pleasing and historically valued, even by ancient royal families.
In addition to its aesthetic value, Hainan huanghuali also has medicinal properties. Its heartwood is used in traditional Chinese medicine, and according to the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, it has a pungent, warm, and non-toxic scent. It is effective for treating wounds and reducing pain, as noted by Li Shizhen. Long-term use of huanghuali can help lower blood pressure. Recently, a set of new huanghuali-made southern official hat chairs was sold for around 2 to 3 million yuan.
**Rosewood – Sandalwood Rosewood**
Sandalwood rosewood, also known as lobular rosewood, is a rare and dense variety of red sandalwood primarily found in India. As the saying goes, the largest logs rarely exceed 20 centimeters in diameter, making it one of the most precious woods in the world. Ancient Chinese records, such as Jin dynasty’s *Ancient and Modern Notes*, mention "red sandalwood from Funan," which was valued for its deep purple color. During the Ming Dynasty, it was highly prized by the imperial court.
Sandalwood rosewood has a deep purple hue and has long been associated with aristocratic and royal furniture. It is considered the most expensive wood and is often called "the wood of the emperor." Due to its low yield and limited availability, there's a saying that "an inch of sandalwood is worth an inch of gold." When freshly cut, it appears orange-yellow, gradually turning deep red, purple, and eventually black upon oxidation. Many collectors enjoy watching this transformation over time. A new set of southern official hat chairs made from this wood recently sold for about 400,000 to 500,000 yuan.
**Selecting a Rosewood Collection**
When purchasing rosewood furniture, it's crucial to avoid painted or waxed pieces. Some manufacturers may fill in the core areas with cheaper materials to mimic the appearance of genuine wood, making it difficult to distinguish after painting. Such practices significantly reduce the collection value. Therefore, it's best to buy unpolished, unpainted pieces, keeping the raw wood surface intact. A thin layer of wax can be applied after signing the contract for better protection.
In custom furniture contracts, the scientific name of the wood should be clearly stated. Mislabeling can lead to huge value discrepancies. For example, there are several types of sourwood, but the most expensive is Sian rosewood. Without proper definitions, some unscrupulous sellers may pass off fake Dalbergia as real. Several factors influence the value of rosewood furniture, including the wood quality, craftsmanship, coloring, and finishing. The overall quality of the workmanship plays a critical role in determining its worth.