「The Art of Collecting」China Guardian Hong Kong Autumn Auctions: One Piece of Wood Hides Elegance, One Fragrance Enchants the City

The 2025 Autumn Auction of China Guardian Hong Kong is about to commence! A collection feast that blends traditional art with refined living awaits your early preview!
The classical furniture made of huanghuali fully demonstrates the craftsmanship.

This huanghuali table with three spandrels to one leg from the late Ming Period is also from Mr. Hei Honglu’s collection and is an important and significant piece. The elegant scene of scholars contemplating at a table depicted in ancient paintings is vividly embodied in this physical object. Made of huanghuali with a rich red hue, it draws inspiration from the large wooden frame of Song Dynasty architecture. The tabletop is joined with mortise and tenon and inlaid with a flat surface, and three cross braces are used to provide stable support. The entire table is plain without any patterns, but it exudes a steady demeanor influenced by the Song Dynasty through its neat and precise structure.

The huanghuali six-post canopy bed from the late Ming and early Qing period features novel decorative patterns on the bed cover. The six columns with concave depressions and the mother-and-child drawer design combine structural beauty with practicality. The style is restrained and elegant. It can be used for daily naps or reading, integrating the refined and leisurely charm of literati at their bedside into modern daily life.

The large huanghuali armchair with four protruding ends from the late Ming period, with a wide and grand seat, and three curved backrests and armrests featuring graceful arcs, embodying the charm of “high-minded elegance”.

A huanghuali waisted side table with solid top from early Qing period, with standard mortise and tenon joints and elegant hoof-shaped feet, is a classic example of a table with a waistband. Placing an incense burner on the table, the smoke from the burner gently curls around the wood grain, and the study is filled with a quiet ancient charm.

The huanghuali incense table with burl wood top and chi-dragon pattern from middle Qing period, its tabletop is made of carved burl wood and the edge boards are intricately carved with dragon patterns, fully showcasing the refined charm of the literati.

The huanghuali carved washbasin stand from the late Ming period features a six-column design with auspicious beast patterns. The carvings are lively and elegant, making it a rare and exquisite masterpiece among the existing huanghuali washbasin stands. In the past, it was placed right next to the bed. Now that the bedhead can no longer accommodate this delicate design, it would be better to move it into the study room as a piece of decoration. This way, it adds even more literary charm compared to when it was placed next to the bed.

A large huanghuali cabinet with a handle from the late Ming period. The materials were carefully selected, with a texture resembling a landscape. The design is simple and elegant, making it ideal for storing tea sets and other items.

A huanghuali dressing case from the late Ming and early Qing Period. Both the inside and outside are made of huanghuali wood. With a strict layout of seven drawers, the copper fittings exhibit a simple and exquisite style. Not only is it practical for storage, but the consistent quality of the materials from inside to outside is already a rare treasure in the eyes of collectors.

A huanghuali carrying box from the late Ming and early Qing Period. The design features dovetail joints and scroll-like decorative edges. The box has three layers, including the lid, for a total of four layers, this structure is both practical and elegant.
In this auction, China Guardian Auction House made its debut for a well-organized special collection of private rare agilawood pieces in Hong Kong. These rare agilawood is highly anticipated.

The contemporary agilawood grew in Vietnam is small in size, smooth in texture, with a purple sheen. Its fragrance has rich layers and possesses the beauty of display.

The contemporary agilawood grew in Vietnam is a non-recycled raw material from Nha Trang. The oil line is slender and plump, with a soft and tender texture. The cool sweetness and aroma have a dense and rich layering, and the flavor changes are also very diverse. It weighs over 290 grams and is a rare treasure that combines both aroma appreciation and collection value.

The contemporary set of agilawood prayer 18 beads grew in Vietnam are crafted from the same material and are maintained with agilawood powder. It has an elegant fragrance and a lingering coolness. It is an irreplaceable artistic and decorative item.

From the ancient charm and exquisite craftsmanship of huanghuali furniture, to the rare fragrance of agilawood, each item in the auction collection embodies the passage of time and the charm of life. If you share the love for this elegant lifestyle, this autumn auction is definitely worth visiting.

There is much more to collecting. That’s all for today. We’ll continue next time.