Dimensions: Height: 92.5 Length: 130.5 cm, Width: 47.5 cm 19th Century Chinese Huanghuali double drawer commode altar. The rectangular top terminating in inverted flanges above scalloped spandrels. Two drawers above floral reliefs apron, raised on four straight legs. The Huanghuali wood displays a dense hardwood and translucent shimmering surface with abstractly figured patterns appearing like ghost faces motif. LOT NOTES: The Chinese term huanghuali literally means "yellow flowering pear" wood. It is a member of the rosewood family and is botanically classified as Dalbergia odorifera. In premodern times the wood was know as huali or hualu. The finest huanghuali has a translucent shimmering surface with abstractly figured patterns that delight the eye, those appearing like ghost faces were highly prized. The color can range from reddish-brown to golden-yellow. Historical references point to Hainan Island as the main source of huali. However, variations in the color, figure, and density suggest similar species sourced throughout North Vietnam, Guangxi, Indochina and the other isles of the South China Sea.