Editor's Note:

Throughout the long history of Hainan, different cultural treasures have emerged in many parts of the island. This series, titled ‘Rebirth of Cultural Relics’, will systematically sort through these ancient wonders, delve deeply into the stories and meanings behind them, and bring them back to life as more and more people begin to understand what makes them so special.

In ancient times, great families and relatives of the emperor prided themselves on the elegance of their furniture. In this edition of our series Rebirth of Relics, we will tell the tale of a Qing Dynasty Yellow Rosewood Pavilion Lintel.

Qing Dynasty Yellow Rosewood Pavilion Lintel. (In the collection of the Hainan Museum)

Background

Hello everyone! I’m a Qing Dynasty Yellow Rosewood Pavilion Lintel measuring 460 cm. in length and 60 cm. in height. As for what I’m made of, I’m sure that long-term Hainan residents will recognize the wood! Since long ago, the people of Hainan have crafted many items from Yellow Rosewood, which is widely used as a material for furniture and other household objects. Read on for more of my story!

Elegant Craftsmanship

The Qing Dynasty Yellow Rosewood Pavilion Lintel is composed of 25 openwork and relief carved boards featuring a variety of auspicious patterns such as flowers, birds, and animals. The delicate carvings show superb craftsmanship as well as a distinct Hainan flair, making this an excellent example of the island’s local arts.

Yellow Rosewood is one of the most distinctive Hainan products. Before the Tang and Song Dynasty eras, the rainforests of Hainan were home to large numbers of high-quality Yellow Rosewood trees. It was not until the Tang Dynasty period that word of Hainan’s Yellow Rosewood began to spread across China. Later, the excellent features of the wood made it a popular choice for Ming Dynasty furniture.

Part of the ‘Queen of Wood - Hainan Yellow Rosewood Exhibition’ at the Hainan Museum

The Qing Dynasty Yellow Rosewood Pavilion Lintel was originally in the hands of a private collector. After several moves and transfers, it is now displayed year-round in the Hainan Museum, as part of the ‘Queen of Wood - Hainan Yellow Rosewood Exhibition’.

Treasures of Nature

Hainan Yellow Rosewood has been part of the story of the Forbidden City for hundreds of years. The highly valued wood was sent as tribute to the imperial court during the Song Dynasty, and was used to make furniture for the emperor’s family during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Thanks to the highly refined tastes of the literati of the era, Ming furniture was mainly crafted in a simple, natural style out of Yellow Rosewood, creating a classical Chinese furniture style that is still admired today.

Qing Yellow Rosewood Medicine Box (In the collection of the Hainan Museum)

Yellow Rosewood Chair (In the collection of the Hainan Museum)

The display of these cultural relics shows the incredible attention to detail, excellent quality, and unique appeal of Hainan’s local products, as well as highlights their historical place in traditional Chinese culture. The exhibition featuring selected Hainan cultural relics of the Palace Museum will continue at the Hainan Museum through Feb. 18, 2025.

An exhibition featuring selected Hainan cultural relics of the Palace Museum, currently open to the public at the Hainan Museum

In related news, the Hainan Yellow Rosewood & Agarwood Museum project officially began construction on July 16, 2024, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. The new museum is expected to become a landmark of the city, showcasing Hainan culture. This nature-themed museum will mainly display Yellow Rosewood and Agarwood related pieces.

Rendering of the Hainan Yellow Rosewood & Agarwood Museum