Burmese chicken wing wood is known for its deep maroon color. When cut at a right angle, it reveals distinct "chicken wing" patterns on one side, while the other side remains smooth with no trace of the pattern. One of the most notable features is the presence of a "gravel heart" in the center, which looks like sand and stone. This hard, stony core extends radially outward, making the wood very dense and sometimes prone to cracking. The gravel heart can make up 20% to 50-60% of the tree’s structure. Burmese chicken wing wood takes about 150 to 200 years to mature, and at that stage, the trunk usually reaches 30-40 cm in diameter, with some reaching 60-70 cm but rarely. The wood isn't straight, leading to lower yields. Its high density causes it to sink in water, and it's difficult to process. If not dried properly, it can warp easily. In Beijing, it's commonly called "old chicken wings," and it's considered the highest quality among chicken wing woods.
In contrast, African chicken wing wood is larger, straighter, and softer. It has a gray chestnut color, slightly yellowish, with thicker pores and less hardness. It doesn’t sink in water, and its heart doesn’t contain the gravel-like core found in Burmese wood. From a pricing perspective, as of April 2003, raw African chicken wing wood was priced between $3,000 and $3,500 per cubic meter, while Burmese chicken wing wood was much more expensive, ranging from $8,000 to $8,500 per cubic meter. In terms of yield, Burmese wood is about 25-30% less than African wood. After processing, the prices of both types double, but Burmese chicken wing wood remains significantly pricier.
For ordinary consumers, identifying the two types from finished products can be done by checking the finish. Burmese chicken wing wood has a smoother and finer texture, while African wood struggles to maintain detailed carvings. Another key difference is weight—Burmese wood is notably heavier. Also, due to its smaller size, Burmese wood is often used for furniture like sofas and Ming-style pieces, while African wood, being larger, is more versatile. When purchasing, it's essential to have the type of wood clearly stated in the contract.
Red rosewood logs are dark red with black streaks and have a dense, messy grain pattern, along with a subtle woody scent. Some sellers may falsely claim their products are red sandalwood, so buyers should be cautious. Black rosewood, considered the superior variety, is usually dark red with a less visible grain and dense brown eyes. A few unscrupulous merchants may pass off fine black rosewood as red sandalwood.
Red rosewood, also known as "old mahogany" among common people, was widely used in Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture. Chicken wing wood comes in two main colors: yellow and black. The black variety is more visually striking, with a distinct, flowing texture resembling golden feathers. It is rarer and more valuable.
Rosewood, primarily produced in India, comes in red, yellow, and white varieties. Red rosewood has a color similar to red sandalwood, with a hard and fine texture. It is often referred to as "old mahogany."
Chicken wing wood belongs to the Aralia and Tetraphylla genera, found in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian, as well as Southeast Asia and South Asia. Some pieces have white or yellowish-brown markings, and when cut diagonally, they display a cloud-like pattern resembling chicken wings. The longitudinal sections show a delicate, flowing grain that creates natural landscapes and figures. Compared to rosewood and red sandalwood, chicken wing wood has lower yield but unique beauty, making it highly prized.
Its fine texture and deep purple-brown color give it an elegant appearance, especially in the longitudinal section where the grain flows smoothly. It has a lustrous look similar to a bird’s neck or wing. Few old chicken wing pieces were used in furniture after the mid-Qing Dynasty. There are about 40–60 species in the genus, with 26 found in China, mainly in Fujian, where the pattern resembles chicken wings, hence the name.
Burmese chicken wing wood is maroon. When cut at a right angle, it shows chicken wing patterns on one side, with no trace on the other. The most distinctive feature is the gravel heart, which is hard like stone and extends radially. This core can cause cracking in some cases.
African chicken wing wood is larger and straighter, with a soft and brittle texture. It has a gray chestnut color, slightly yellow, thick pores, and lower hardness. It doesn’t sink in water and lacks the gravel heart.
Vietnamese chicken wing wood, commonly known as black chicken wings, is a type of rosewood with a black or millet brown color, often featuring black stripes and chicken wing patterns. It has a shiny surface and no strong smell. The wood is hard and heavy, resistant to decay and durable.
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