Misconceptions about rosewood furniture: How much do you know about rosewood furniture?

Rosewood furniture, originating from the couch that appeared in the late Han Dynasty, has undergone continuous use, refinement, and improvement throughout the dynasties, reaching its peak in the Ming Dynasty. Its popularity has since spread unchecked, continuing to this day. Rosewood furniture, like a noble and elegant gentleman, exudes a noble and elegant temperament and a luxurious yet unpretentious charm. It has been deeply loved for thousands of years. However, due to the general lack of understanding of rosewood furniture, consumers often perceive its high price as prohibitive. In reality, this is not an exaggeration. Currently, the most popular wood in China is Burmese rosewood, a beloved and influential wood. Its affordable price, unique fragrance, and various health benefits are highly valued. Its refreshing and elegant fragrance promotes sleep, and the diverse grain patterns of Burmese rosewood are truly captivating.

Then there are red rosewood, small-leaf red sandalwood, and huanghuali. When it comes to red rosewood, the first step in distinguishing all woods is to smell it. This is the identification card for all woods, and different woods have different scents. Red rosewood has a sour smell, small-leaf red sandalwood has a sandalwood scent, also known as sandalwood small-leaf red sandalwood, and huanghuali has a unique woody aroma. The second step is to examine the wood grain and the thickness of the black veins. Why is the grain the second step? Because so many woods have similar grains, such as the distinct tiger-skin pattern of Burmese rosewood and the ghost-eye pattern of huanghuali, just like how many people look alike. The third step is to examine the wood's color and the size of its pores. Distinguishing wood requires a combination of factors. How can you choose the furniture you truly love from the vast and mixed market of rosewood furniture? Here, we have compiled nine common misconceptions to help you avoid blindly choosing rosewood furniture.

Misconception: The bigger the style, the better, and the heavier the material, the better

Classical Chinese furniture emphasizes the beauty of form, lines, and proportion. Rosewood furniture prioritizes the four key elements of material quality: shape, material, and artistic expression. Therefore, larger pieces aren't necessarily better; it depends on the intended use. Large pieces should be bold, while small pieces should be refined. And when it comes to materials, heavier pieces aren't necessarily better or more valuable.

Misunderstanding 2: Pay too much attention to whether it is purely handmade

Rosewood furniture is made partly by machine and partly by hand. For example, mortise and tenon joints, which must be precisely machine-made, require precision. Carving, on the other hand, can appear rather rigid when done by machines, so it requires the refinement of skilled carvers to imbue it with verve and charm.

Myth 3: Buying redwood furniture is for appreciation

As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, rosewood furniture's appreciation is a natural process. When purchasing rosewood furniture, we should maintain a calm mindset and enjoy the elegance and pleasure it brings. There's no need to dwell on price fluctuations and become anxious about their gains and losses.

Myth 4: Rosewood furniture must be placed in sets in Chinese style decoration

Beauty is intertwined and interconnected; beautiful things can transcend space, borders, and time. If your home is decorated in a modern style, adding a few pieces of mahogany furniture can add a unique charm. Furthermore, a piece of exquisite mahogany furniture is the best decoration.

Misconception: Five-skin furniture is always trustworthy

So-called "bare-finish" furniture is sold directly after being polished without being painted, waxed, or stained. However, not all bare-finish furniture is free of fraud. If you truly want to buy genuine rosewood furniture, it's best to visit the manufacturer and see the actual bare-finish furniture for the best assurance.

Myth 6: The best way to cook is to follow the recipe

Ming and Qing dynasty furniture represents the pinnacle of Chinese furniture development. Most antique furniture available today imitates these classic styles. From a collector's perspective, authentic antiques are the best. However, furniture is ultimately a form of daily living, requiring comfort. Furthermore, innovation is essential for any art form to achieve its brilliance throughout the ages.

Misunderstanding 7: Not understanding the nature of redwood and buying the ones with nice names

Rosewood furniture on the market now has many names. The reason for this confusion in wood names is that merchants take advantage of the fact that most consumers do not have professional knowledge and use them to elevate the status of precious woods by attaching them to precious woods. Consumers should be reminded to learn more about rosewood and not be misled by those nice-sounding names.

Misconception 8: Focusing on materials rather than workmanship

Many customers only care about the material when buying rosewood furniture, but they don't know that rosewood furniture is 30% material and 70% workmanship. Good material is just the foundation. Without good workmanship, it is just a pile of wood. Only rosewood furniture with excellent materials, exquisite workmanship, and both form and spirit is worth owning.

Misconception 9: Only caring about the authenticity of the wood and ignoring the appearance

Even redwood furniture made from the same wood and with similar workmanship can have prices that vary significantly depending on the size and appearance of the wood. Therefore, when choosing, customers must consider the size of the wood, the presence of joints, and the number of panels, all of which can affect the price.