The Rare Red Sandal Wood
By admin on 2015-01-12

Red sandalwood is one of the most valuable timbers in the world. Native to Southeast Asia, red sandal trees are categorized among evergreen mesophanerophytes. The mature red sandal trees are very tall, but scarce. That is because they need several hundred years to grow thick. When the trunks are thick enough, however, they usually get hollow. The red sandal wood takes on a color of purplish brown, and is so dense that any piece of it placed in water will sink immediately. Even in harsh temperatures and humidity, the wood seldom becomes deformed. That is probably because the tree grows very slow, so its texture is very dense. Though the timber is very hard, it is smooth when cut. This character enables exquisite sculptures be made from it.

The Chinese understanding and use of the red sandal wood can be traced back to the late East Han Dynasty (25-220), but its popularization did not come until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The royalty members of that dynasty valued red sandal wood very much, so they ordered that sandal wood be collected from any possible place for their use. The officials then looked for and cut down red sandal trees extensively at home and abroad. This nearly led to the extinction of mature sandal wood. When time came to the late Ming and early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), most of the logs and products of red sandalwood around the world had all been stored in China. The extinction of mature wood, resulting from excessive harvesting, makes the red sandal articles priceless today.

Westerners treasure red sandals even more. Before they came to China, they believed that sandal trees were all slender; but afterwards, they were amazed by the big wares made from this timber. Realizing that all excellent works of red sandal wood were in China, westerners purchased a lot of them and got them shipped back to their countries.

Generally, people call the sandal trees which have bigger leaves “rosewood” and those with smaller leaves “red sandals”. The latter kind, whose veins are hardly seen, is more precious. Renowned varieties of red sandals include cow-hair sandals, chicken-blood sandals and shining-star sandals.

Cow-hair sandals have a fur-like texture. With fine and curvy veins, they are usually made into furniture.

Chicken-blood sandals are rarely seen, and their rich deep red color is their most impressive characteristic. In the sapwood of this kind, there are usually zebra patterns.

Shining-star sandals are the most valuable of all kinds of sandal woods. The shining stars actually refer to the colloid crystallization of the wood fibers. After polishing, the wood will shine like silk in the sunlight, while its color remains an elegant purple-brown.

How to Identify Good Red Sandal Wood

Firstly, the density of red sandals is greater than water. The wood will sink in the water very quickly.

Also, when cut, the inner wood will be found to be redder than its surface. That is because the outer wood will have a deeper color owing to oxidization.

Thirdly, if one rubs alcohol on the wood, its color will also turn deeper.

In addition, the carvings need not to be lacquered on. It will bring out its glossiness again after being buffed.

Lastly, little leaf red sandals give off a fragrance of incense.

The Maintenance of Red Sandal Wood

Sandal wood is a dense timber which will not be gnawed by worms, but its color will be affected by sunlight, so it should be placed in a cool and dry place.

Sharp objects should never be rubbed against the wood, if one wants to maintain the smooth surface of the ware.

Some people only keep a sandal wood work as an ornament, and will seldom touch it. But the fact is, the more frequently the wood is rubbed, the shinier the wood will be.

Famous Articles

Hollow stool made of red sandal

Ming Dynasty

Face diameter: 39cm

Belly diameter: 50cm Height: 48cm

This stool is in the shape of a drum and its middle part is carved out from a whole piece of red sandal wood. It is mellow in design, and superb in workmanship.

Red sandal armchair with rattan shaving mattress and short legs

Ming Dynasty

Height: 58cm

Width: 58cm

Length: 37cm

This armchair was originally kept in the Qing palace. Its shape is very special, because the legs are even shorter than the backrest. It was most likely designed for the children of well-off families, or to be set in a sedan.

Red sandal Ruyi with inlayed white marble, spun gold and inscribed emperor’s poem

Ruyi is an S-shaped ornamental object that symbolizes good luck in Chinese traditional culture. This red sandal one is produced during the Qianlong Reign, 1755. In that year, the emperor successfully suppressed a rebellion in Ili, and the Royal Household Bureau made this Ruyi to congratulate him. The modeling of this Ruyi is graceful and solemn, the curve is harmonious and smooth, and the craft is adept and exquisite. These all show the supreme status of the royalty. It was sold for ￥4.29 million at an auction two years ago.

Architectural model of a side-hall

Qing Dynasty

Length: 124cm

Width: 83cm

Height: 79cm

Modeled after the pattern of the side-hall in an official’s courtyard, this model was made completely by hand and of red sandal wood. It has vividly reproduced the construction style of the official’s residence during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Red sandal wood wardrobe cabinet with suitcases on its top

Qing Dynasty

Lengh: 126.5cm

Width: 48.3cm

Height: 247.5cm

This big cabinet was used by the imperial harem. Made of bulky red sandal wood from the inside out, it has delicate carvings and a scientific design. As a massive article made of red sandal, it enjoys worldwide repute. Its knock-down price at an auction in 2007 was ￥27.5 million.

Red sandal articles have always been favorites of aristocrats from generation to generation, owing to their purple-brown color, silky tactile impression, and solemn elegance. In the collection name-list of many museums, classical furniture made of red sandal wood has always ranked very highly, and this shows that the important status of red sandal wood is irreplaceable.

Now, red sandal wood trees have been named an endangered species internationally. The wood’s diameter class is becoming lower and lower, and its quality worse and worse. As a result, there are hardly any highly-quality wood pieces of red sandals nowadays. Scholars are recommending that red sandals not be logged wildly and made into modern copies of classic furniture, and that people should treasure the sandal trees rather than abusing them for economic interests.