ethnica's curiosity

krnpost:

Here’s my new tea tray!  It’s made of ‘chicken wing’ wood, Jichimu, named after the wood pattern which resembles chicken feathers. A type of hard wood for household furniture, and as a common material for traditional tea trays, probably because it’s hard enough to withstand heat and water, and with the beautiful grainy pattern you can still carve out curvy designs like this one here. 

If you’re looking into investing a piece of nicely crafted chinese wooden tea tray, perhaps when you’re travelling to China - 

Look out for ones that are made of green ebony wood. They are usually on the expensive end of the range. The wood has a lovely olive green colour and it gives a faint fragrance in winter. It’s the most sturdy but also heaviest in weight. Mid-range is the ‘Chicken wing wood’ and the cheapest ones are made of bamboo. Practical and affordable but would easily crack if it’s not used regularly.