Here's the Malaysia website:

http://www.tw-network-group.com/aboutus.htm

Maybe the Malaysia company just borrowed from the NY website?

Hi Greeno107, 

I have visited that site in NY before. From the pictures they appear to have some very nice pieces. 

One of the foremost expert dealers is located in Hong Kong. Grace Wu Bruce. Her knowledge and expertise is phenomenal. She has been there since the early 1980'S. I actually meet her at her then just opened gallery in I think was about 1983. Bought from her a small Huanghuali box. Wish I still had it though. 

One has to be very careful buying Huanghuali furniture. They need to be handled in person. Provenance is preferred. Re-hashed old furniture is very common.

I saw this horse shoe chair being flaunted as Huanghuali wood from a well-known local auction in Australia. It will be auctioned tonight with a estimate of $4000-$6000.

Unfortunately this example is not Huanghuali wood. It's yu wood. 

I love antique Chinese furniture. Especially Huanghuali and zitan. Sadly the prices achieved today are from from my what I can afford. You can still buy Huanghuali wood at reasonable prices for republic period. This trend will not continue in my opinion.

This is my Huanghuali and other hard wood dragon display table from the late Qing period. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems  When you say the trend will not continue do you mean that you expect the late Qing and republic furniture to skyrocket as well? Also, what is a good resource for dating these pieces? I would like to be able to tell the difference between something 40 years old vs 140 years old. How do I learn these secrets?

You know, it looks like we are going to have our first ZOOM gathering a couple Sundays from now, and perhaps we could cover this topic during part of that if any of you with knowledge and pieces to share would like to join. Email me for the details if you want. Cheers!  John  [email protected]

Hi Johnshoe, 

The price of republican period high grade wood is much cheaper in most cases than say late Qing of the same style. Genuine Ming period Huanghuali is completely crazy atm. 

Unfortunately there are no tricks of the trade rules that I can share with you. It takes a lot of time and effort to study and digest the multitude of different woods and their grains. I am not an expert like Grace. I am still learning the ropes! There are also a few good reference books available via ebay at reasonable prices (titles like Ming Furniture). These will help you with the different styles. 

Actually I am atm trying to determine on how to tell the difference between say 19th century and republic period of the same styles. It's very confusing and very difficult to determine by way of pictures. 

Obviously if you see nails it's a big no no. Also check for different coloured woods that may be treated. Are there any signs of natural wear and tear? Are these natural or faked? Does the piece look natural or has it been beaten up deliberately? Always look underneath! 

During the Qing period  most furniture was exceptionally large. A number of these were cut down later to suit smaller homes. A lot of these are being tauted as period and untouched. 

It's very important before learning/studying styles to gain some insight/knowledge into the different species of wood grains. There are if you Google 'different Chinese woods' numerous articles on woods. One guy in the UK is highly recommended but I can't recall his name atm.

Believe it or not one can still buy high quality furniture from the 19th century. A lot of dealers/auctions don't know the differences etc. A friend of mine bought a 18/19th century zitan dragon cabinet in Canada for about $1000. He later sold it for over 130k. And that was cheap imo. Similar are selling for in excess of 300k.

Atm most of my written reference material is still boxed. When I get a chance I will try and post for you  clearer titles and web sites to visit.

Mark 

@imperialfinegems  Thanks for all that, Mark. I look forward to learning more. 

@imperialfinegems  I encountered this table awhile back.

 Since this discussion has opened up a bit into distinguishing between different types of wood, and I am now reading a little about them, I wanted to know if you or anyone else thought this might be zitan?

It seems maybe more Indian or Indonesian, but I'm curious what others would say. On a certain level it seems very impressive, but then again, maybe it's more flash than substance. It's for sale in the $1,000 range.  

Hi Johnshoe, 

It's definitely not zitan wood. It also looks very much in line with either Indian or Indonesian. Looks fairly recent though. Perhaps some time during the 2nd half of the 20th century. 

As to the price they are seeking. It's my submission that it's probably not worth anymore than the asking price. It's very elaborate table. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems Thanks for the response.

Well, I must admit that I've been fairly lucky finding a few pieces of huanghuali and zitan furniture each year, but I'm literally always looking.

I, too, love Chinese furniture...much more than porcelains.  I like their functionality as well as their beauty.  I also have some Japanese lacquer furniture and Korean inlaid pieces throughout my house.

My original motivation for posting was that I am going to sell a HH settee I purchased recently.  I had first thought it was Ming period, and because of the extraordinary prices for Ming pieces (as you pointed out), I thought I might inquire with a gallery that dealt specifically with Ming HH.  I've got items at auction already, so I thought I might try a private sale through an experienced gallery.

But, the settee it is a later copy made in the Ming style.  Nevertheless is quite lovely, so I think it's safe for me to sell it myself without the risk of giving away the farm.

Here's the settee in front of a large Japanese maki-e gold lacquer and inlaid screen.

Enjoy!

Hi greeno107, 

A beautiful Huanghuali example. I also like your Japanese screen! You have great taste my friend. 

Here is a bench sold by sotheby's australia back in 2019. Described as 20th century with a estimate of $2000-3000. It sold for $37200. So remember its Australian dollar that equates in conversion on today's rate 0.74. That's $27528 usd. Can't be 100% sure (only one image) but is yours also 20th century? 

I did try and buy it for the estimate range! 🤣

Mark 

@imperialfinegems  Thank you for the kind words!

It looks to be 20th, but nevertheless, the wood is exceptional.  $27,500 would be a wonderful exchange for the piece! I accept! 😆 

However, I think that kind of result is reserved for auctions where two or more buyers are competing.  I think a fair price would be higher than the estimate, but well below the result you gave.

I love the screen, but as you can see, I have it in front of my French doors between my living room and dining room because I've run out of space.  Some of the abalone mother-of-pearl used i some wisteria flowers have fallen out (lost), but hardly a distraction from the overall beauty of the piece.  I'm thinking to send it to Bonham's, but I need to fix the missing MOP first.

It's the only one I've seen like this where the carved bone birds, not ivory, are carved as well as any Meiji okimono figure that I've ever seen.

Hi greeno107, 

Still I would not sell it below $15,000 usd. But that's just my opinion. In the forthcoming years later production will soar in price as the price of Ming and Qing gets really out of reach. Bonhams or one of the other majors would definitely have interest in your bench. 

I was going to buy a Japanese screen last year. The price was very cheap imo. Unfortunately I had nowhere to put it. 

Mark 

@imperialfinegems  Thank you for the advice on the pricing.  I have a few friends who always ask to be the first people I call when I have something to sell, but they always seem to come up short on their offers.  Another reason for inquiring about the gallery in NY, but a mute point, now.

Those bifold screens seem to have crashed in value, along with much of the Japanese market.  I still love my Japanese art....could care less if it goes to zero in value. 

I have a bifold screen mounted above my bed, but instead of being inlaid, its a solid carved wood panel of orchids on rocks.  I've never seen anything like it before...bought it about 3 years ago.  I'll post a pic shortly.

@imperialfinegems