Purple Sandal Wood Furniture

Zi-Tan Mu is an extremely hard rosewood. This type of wood is just so hard and dense that it sinks in water. It is commonly found in America, Africa, India, Vietnam and Burma. It is said that it is very difficult for it to grow bigger than for a diameter of 7 inches. That is why it is very difficult to get big trunks from this tree. It has a tree trunk of yellow color. But with enough exposure in the air, the yellow will change to dark red. It gives off fragrant smell and it is one of China's medicinal herbs. With a chair made of Zitan, people will receive good medicinal treatment by sitting on it.

"Zi" means purple. "Tan" means Sandal wood. This is the most expensive wood in the world. It is so dense that it's the only kind of wood that sinks in water rather than float. In ancient Chinese literature, it was recorded that Zi-Tan and Huang Hua Li were worth as much as and as expensive as gold. It is the most prized and expensive wood used in Ming and Ching furniture. Few Ming Dynasty Zitan wood furniture pieces exist outside of museums & famed collections