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Subject:Identify Wood Type
Posted By: Kevin Donnelley Sun, Apr 29, 2018 IP: 69.127.28.252

Dear members,
I would like to learn the type of wood from this close up of a Chinese tray with bronze/brass inlay.
It has a nice grain with a golden reddish brown tone, thank you

Kind regards

Kevin



Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: TimG Thu, May 03, 2018

Why do you think the tray is Chinese?
The bronze inlay appears to be in the art nouveau / art deco style, which was popular from around 1880 to 1940.
I think the tray could be European or perhaps even American. High quality teak and rosewood with strong color and grain was exported to Denmark, USA, and other Western countries.
Personally, I have seen many pieces of furniture from thus style that bear striking resemblence to huanghuali, but I have never found any documentation to support my beliefs.


Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: sue Sat, May 05, 2018

The subcontinent would be my guess. I have a few old shisham wood trays with brass inlay work that are similar to this. They are from Peshawar.
Regards
Sue

Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: Kevin Donnelley Sat, May 05, 2018

Thank you Sue for your post.
I will look further for a possible Peshawar connection as you have suggested, grateful

Best
Kevin

Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: Kevin Donnelley Sat, May 05, 2018

Hello,
I am grateful for your input, thank you

Here is a clear close-up of another tray. The 2 are very similar in design character. Although the wood choices are different, both appeal I believe to the Oriental/ Chinese taste. I am familiar with the European design inlay trays. The thin wire inlays that we can see around the handles and sides, I felt were done in the Chinese manner, rather than European.
I agree and believe some are made of a huanghuali variety. I am also looking for documentation/ support on that
Best,
Kevin



Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: TimG Sat, May 05, 2018

The way the sides of the tray are splayed and the handles are in my opinion European. Art Nouveau and the Meiji period in Japan occurred simultaneously, so many EuropeN pieces used Asian techniques in their design and construction.

Subject:Re: Identify Wood Type
Posted By: sue Sun, May 06, 2018

Hi Kevin, I think if you look at some photos of shisham (sheesham) you will find that it is similar to your trays. Shisham is Dalbergia sisso which is in the rosewood family (Dalbergia ).
The fine cartouche work on the borders of your trays is very similar to various items I collected when in Pakistan. New items also appear in this style, but I think it has origins in the British Raj.
Regards
Sue


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