Zitantique serves furniture connoisseurs, furniture collectors,
design industry and high-end retail shops in the United States
and overseas with a range of traditional and modern designs,
made from zitan and other precious
hardwoods.
Chinese classical hardwood furniture,
combining thousands of years accumulated craftsmanship and the
use of prized tropical hardwoods, has long been considered a
highlight of China's cultural heritage. Rarely found outside
museums and private collections, Chinese classical hardwood
furniture typically employs precious hardwoods, such as deep
purple zitan, golden huanghuali, bright yellow
huali, dark brown jichimu, and deep red hongmu,
known in the west as mahogany.
Until now there has been little
opportunity to obtain new furniture made by Chinese cabinetmakers
using ancient, time-honored techniques. All of our pieces are
hand crafted to the highest standards of traditional Chinese
joinery by award-winning Chinese artisans. Before a piece is
made, the wood undergoes a lengthy stabilization and oxygenation
period in our warehouse facilities to ensure generations of
use and enjoyment. Each piece has been constructed from handpicked
logs that accentuate its unique design and construction challenges.
The
items displayed online are just a sample of our
product range. Zitantique is proud of its products and the ancient
culture that has produced them. Only the most skilled and knowledgeable
craftsmen are commissioned to produce our pieces, many of whom
have been trained by the masters and work almost exclusively
on museum pieces. Zitantique designs take the best of old and
new, respecting ancient Chinese woodworking techniques while
incorporating modern design cues.
We sincerely hope you enjoy these
heirloom quality furniture pieces as much as we have enjoyed
bringing them to you. |
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 The most prized of all is zitan,
an exceptionally rare tropical hardwood species. In ancient
China, zitan was reserved for the imperial household and privileged
citizens. Zitan's dense structure and grain is extremely durable,
so heavy that it sinks in water. Over time, zitan darkens
and develops a fine surface patina.
Zitan is virtually unknown in the West, and until
recently was thought to be practically extinct. In the late
1990s a limited supply of zitan was discovered in an island
country off the eastern coast of Africa.
The zitan trees on this island are over three hundred years
old, and have reached their natural maturity. Under a special
certification program, these zitan trees have been harvested
and sold to the international market with proceeds benefiting
environmental conservation programs. Zitantique's affiliated
company KenLong Development Company, Ltd. based in the People's
Republic of China, has been able to secure a large supply
of this zitan for its production facility in Beijing. In October
2001 the island's government declared a moratorium on zitan
exports. As a result, there are no new sources of certified,
high quality, and mature zitan timber.
Through an exclusive arrangement with KenLong,
Zitantique now offers fine handmade furniture made of zitan
and other precious
hardwoods.
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