Zitan

A table made in zitan carved to look like gnarled branches of a plum tree could be read as just another bit of trickery. ❋ Lee Lawrence (2010)

Made of a precious Asian hardwood called zitan, the throne is embellished with 10 dragons. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Courtesy of China Guardian Auctions Co. Ltd. Chinese buyers are turning again to zitan wood, shown in this chair. ❋ Kelly Crow (2011)

Ironically, the first thing we see in "Private Paradise" is something the emperor hid from view: a screen made of zitan, a rare hardwood, across which parade luminous gold and silver floral compositions. ❋ Lee Lawrence (2010)

"Purple sandalwood" (zitan) with inlays of mother-of-pearl and stone ❋ Unknown (2009)

Eric Mok's Upstairs studio is using zitan and blackwood, fine timbers much prized in Asia, to produce clean-lined contemporary furniture based on Ming-dynasty styles. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Specialists restored frames that had been carved from zitan, a rare wood, to resemble bamboo, and artisans in south China recreated fabrics and upholstery based on original designs. ❋ Unknown (2010)

But the biggest battle was over a Qianlong-period throne made of precious zitan wood and carved with dragons, which was estimated to fetch HK$20m-30m. ❋ Unknown (2009)