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Zitan Furniture

Zitan, a slow-growing rosewood evergreen tree, provides wood in very limited supply. This rare Zitan wood was used to make furniture in China as early as the third century. However, because Zitan trees take so long to grow, Huanghuali furniture was much more common, though still in scarce supply.

Zitan furniture is distinct with its blackish-red or blackish-purple color. The slow growth of the tree leads to very small, fine grains that make the wood ideal for detailed carving techniques. Because of the beautiful grains and exquisite color, Zitan furniture is minimally decorated and only painted over with a thin clear lacquer so that the beauty of the natural wood can be seen.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the demand for Zitan furniture grew out of control and became closely monitored under the reign of Emperor Qianglong. While not extinct, Zitan wood is still endangered to this day and trade of this valuable lumber is heavily regulated.


Quick Facts

  • In 300 years, a Zitan tree only grows to be about 30 feet tall and 10 inches wide
  • Zitan wood is also used for the red pigment that can be extracted from the fibers of wood
  • Zitan is such a dense and heavy wood that it is actually incapable of floating in the water

Recommended Items at Auction

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PORTABLE CHINESE ZITAN WOOD CABINET
Jul 14, 6:00 PM PDT
PORTABLE CHINESE ZITAN WOOD CABINET
by O'Gallerie
Est: $200- $300
$1102 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CRICKET CASE
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CRICKET CASE
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $700
$1000 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN TRIPOD CENSER
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN TRIPOD CENSER
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $700- $900
$2000 Bids
A HARDSTONES INLADI ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A HARDSTONES INLADI ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$4000 Bids
A HARDSTONES INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A HARDSTONES INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$5000 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN RUYI SCEPTER
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN RUYI SCEPTER
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$5000 Bids
A Jade 'Taotie' Vase with Zitan Stand and Loop Handle
Jul 17, 2:00 PM PDT
A Jade 'Taotie' Vase with Zitan Stand and Loop Handle
by Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc
Est: $55,000- $60,000
$3,0000 Bids
A Zitan Carved 'Auspicious Beasts' Candlestick
Jul 17, 2:00 PM PDT
A Zitan Carved 'Auspicious Beasts' Candlestick
by Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc
Est: $8,000- $10,000
$8000 Bids
A Chinese Zitan Document Box
Jul 20, 10:00 AM EDT
A Chinese Zitan Document Box
by Topwells
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$6000 Bids
A FINE CARVED JADEITE PLAQUE INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A FINE CARVED JADEITE PLAQUE INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$8000 Bids
A zitan wood brush holder with MOP overlay
Jul 14, 12:00 PM PDT
A zitan wood brush holder with MOP overlay
by International Auction Gallery
Est: $150- $350
$500 Bids
(lot of 2) Chinese zitan objects
Jul 18, 9:30 AM PDT
(lot of 2) Chinese zitan objects
by Clars Auctions
Est: $500- $700
$2500 Bids
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN BOX WITH COVER
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN BOX WITH COVER
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $800- $1,000
$2000 Bids
A CHINESE IMPERIAL LACQUER INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CHINESE IMPERIAL LACQUER INLAID ROSEWOOD ZITAN TABLE SCREEN
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$5000 Bids
Chinese zitan wood box with hard stone overlay
Jul 14, 12:00 PM PDT
Chinese zitan wood box with hard stone overlay
by International Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $300
$300 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN LIONS SEAL
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN LIONS SEAL
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$2000 Bids
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZIGAN TABLE SCREEN
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZIGAN TABLE SCREEN
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$8000 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN BOX WITH COVER
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN BOX WITH COVER
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $500- $700
$1000 Bids
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A FINE CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$7000 Bids
Two Chinese carved Zitan wood candle sticks in Lingzhi shape.
Jul 15, 9:00 AM EDT
Two Chinese carved Zitan wood candle sticks in Lingzhi shape.
by Montgomery Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
Jul 27, 10:00 AM EDT
A CARVED ROSEWOOD ZITAN CABINET
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$5000 Bids
A possible zitan wood box w/ white stone
Jul 14, 12:00 PM PDT
A possible zitan wood box w/ white stone
by International Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $300
$300 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Zitan Furniture


Berkeley Auction Gallery

Berkeley Auction Gallery

International Auction Gallery

International Auction Gallery

Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc

Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc

Clars Auctions

Clars Auctions