top of page
Writer's pictureCabinet Gauchet Art Asiatique
Oct 304 min read

Hongmu wood in Chinese furniture

In the world of Chinese furniture, one material dominates for its timeless elegance and aura of prestige: hongmu wood, also known as ‘red wood’. Appreciated for its dark colour and refined grain, this precious wood has fascinated artists and collectors for centuries. More than just a material, hongmu has become the symbol of an artistic and craft tradition unique to imperial China, the resonance of which is still felt today.

Large display shelf, hongmu wood, China, 19th century, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for Coutau-Bégarie auction house, sold for €16,000


The golden age of hongmu began during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), a period of exceptional artistic development for Chinese culture. The craftsmen of this period developed complex joinery techniques, marked by the simplicity and sobriety that characterised the Ming aesthetic. Hongmu wood emerged as a leading choice for imperial furniture, not least because of its robustness and natural beauty. Unlike other lighter woods, hongmu's dark grain and rare density made it ideal for delicate finishes and clean lines, symbols of Confucian elegance.


During the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), Hongmu craftsmanship reached new heights. This period saw the introduction of more complex ornamental motifs inspired by nature, such as clouds, plum blossoms and dragons. Craftsmen experimented with relief carving, inlay and marquetry techniques to enrich their work. These motifs embody not only beauty but also symbols of power, prosperity and longevity, imbuing each piece of furniture with a profound cultural meaning. In imperial palaces, hongmu furniture became art objects in their own right, each piece created to represent the grandeur of the empire and the philosophical values that underpinned it.



Carved table, hongmu wood, China, 19th century, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for Millon, sold for €65,000


Hongmu is more than just a noble wood: it is the mainstay of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, where each stage of work is meticulously codified. Hongmu furniture follows strict aesthetic standards based on principles of balance and symmetry. Craftsmen use ingenious joints without nails or screws, a technique known as mù jǐ yīng (榫卯结构) or mortise and tenon jointing, allowing the wood to expand and contract naturally according to variations in humidity. This exacting craftsmanship reflects a philosophy that respects nature and an approach in which each piece is part of a temporal continuum, destined to stand the test of time without alteration.


The craftsmen of the Ming and Qing dynasties also followed the principles of Feng Shui in the manufacture of each piece of furniture, ensuring that energies flowed harmoniously. This spirituality integrated into furniture has helped to make hongmu an art in itself, in which material, form and symbolism are one and the same. The result? Objects of rare elegance, where art, technique and spirituality come together.


At the end of the Qing dynasty, with the arrival of Western influence and increasing industrialisation, hongmu wood lost its popularity. Solid wood furniture, the legacy of ancient craftsmanship, was gradually replaced by manufactured objects, symbols of modernity. Craftsmen's skills dwindled, and some trades disappeared almost entirely during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Traditional techniques were deemed archaic and hongmu, associated with the aristocracy and conservative values, was abandoned.


Table, hongmu wood, China, 1720 - 1780, kept at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London


However, from the 1980s onwards, hongmu wood underwent a spectacular renaissance in China and around the world. Collectors and art lovers are rediscovering period furniture, and prices are soaring at auction. The Chinese government is also taking steps to preserve this heritage: in 2011, the tradition of hongmu furniture was listed as part of China's intangible cultural heritage, marking a national awareness of the cultural value of this heritage.


However, the return of hongmu to favour comes with considerable challenges. The illegal exploitation of exotic woods to meet demand is having major environmental consequences, threatening the biodiversity of forests in South-East Asia and Africa. What's more, craft skills are in short supply, with younger generations reluctant to pursue this long and demanding training.


Faced with these challenges, initiatives are emerging to protect this heritage. Manufacturers and craftsmen are committing to more sustainable practices, such as the use of alternative woods and the recycling of old furniture. The Chinese government, in collaboration with international NGOs, is participating in reforestation efforts and introducing stricter standards to guarantee the legal origin of the wood used.


Six-leaf folding screen, thirty porcelain panels with possible hongmu wood frame, China, 19th century, appraised by Gauchet Art Asiatique for Millon auction house, sold for €6,200

Today, the art of hongmu is being reinvented, attracting new craftsmen who seek to marry tradition with innovation. Some design schools, both in China and abroad, are now incorporating traditional Chinese furniture into their curricula, exploring new forms to adapt hongmu to contemporary interiors. Contemporary designers are reinterpreting hongmu furniture using modernised forms and experimenting with lighter finishes, while preserving traditional assembly techniques and symbolism.


In this way, hongmu wood remains at the heart of Chinese culture, representing much more than a simple material: it is the guardian of a thousand-year-old history and the expression of a unique art of living. Hongmu furniture is an object of art, a cultural symbol and a heritage treasure that must be preserved for future generations. Beyond contemporary challenges, this art continues to fascinate, linking past and present through the richness of its forms and the beauty of its material.


In a market where the popularity of hongmu furniture continues to grow, the demand for authentic, well-preserved pieces goes hand in hand with the need to guarantee their origin and authenticity. Indeed, the rarity of this precious wood and the abundance of counterfeits make expertise essential for passionate collectors and investors.


It is in this context that Gauchet Art Asiatique stands out as a recognised authority in the authentication and appraisal of traditional wooden hongmu furniture. By entrusting the appraisal of your Hongmu furniture to Gauchet Art Asiatique, you are opting not only for a guarantee of authenticity, but also for quality heritage enhancement, enabling each piece to stand the test of time with all the prestige and historical heritage it carries.




References :





14 views0 comments

Comentarios

bottom of page