In China, for example, the value and quality of a piece often lay in its achievement of harmonious proportions. A Chinese huanghuali yokeback armchair, nanguanmaoyi , 17th century. The materials used in a piece of Asian furniture often help collectors and scholars to determine its origin, approximate age, and value. Most pieces are made primarily of wood, whether it forms the carcass on which lacquer is applied or is the focal point of a piece. Chinese furniture makers generally used softwoods for the carcasses of lacquered pieces, causing them to be particularly susceptible to damage and therefore relatively rare in today's market.
Similar reasons explain the scarcity of bamboo furniture.
Other Chinese pieces were made of hardwoods , such as huanghuali and zitan , which are both rich in color and density of grain . Because zitan was in great demand and short supply, its use was restricted to the Imperial household in the 18th century. Chinese seat furniture with its original upholstery is also extremely rare. Usually the original woven seats have been replaced with wood panels or hard cane seats, but this does not greatly affect value. A Japanese lacquer cabinet, 19th century.