KNOW NANMU
Understand the timber before choosing the object.
Name, grain and condition must be understood separately. Lustre is not identification, and stories are not provenance.Understanding begins
with precise language.
“Golden nanmu” is not a single, universally defined botanical name.
Understanding it requires separating botanical species, timber appearance and market terminology. Zhennan has a botanical identity; nanmu is a broader traditional term; golden nanmu belongs largely to timber, historical and connoisseurial contexts. A responsible description records provenance, the basis for species identification, condition and figure—not simply whether the wood looks golden.
Trade names, species names and figure names are not interchangeable.
White balance, lighting, finishes and viewing angle all alter appearance.
Material, structure, workmanship, dimensions and provenance must be considered together.
Six Questions to Begin
Separate the easily confused concepts before discussing grain, furniture and use.
Zhennan, Nanmu & Golden Nanmu
How do species, traditional terms and market names relate?
Read the explanation →02 / GRAINWhat Creates the “Golden Threads”?
Wood structure, cut, finish and light combine to create the visual effect.
Observe the grain →03 / ORIGINOrigin & Provenance
Natural range, cultivation and the source of traded timber are different questions.
Understand provenance →04 / MATERIALNew and Old Material
“New” and “old” are not a consistent scientific grading system.
Examine condition →05 / BURIED WOODIs Buried Wood a Species?
Buried describes condition; it does not replace species or age testing.
Clarify the term →06 / LIMITSWhat Can a Photograph Tell Us?
A photograph records figure and condition but cannot reliably establish species or value.
Understand the limits →07 / GRAIN ATLASRipple, raindrop and tiger-stripe grain
Understand common grain descriptions, factors behind visual differences and the limits of trade names.
Explore grain descriptions →08 / PROVENANCEProtection status and lawful provenance
What should be checked separately for protected plants, reclaimed timber and finished pieces?
Understand provenance →
ACTUAL GRAIN · APPEARANCE CHANGES WITH LIGHTTo read grain,
look beyond a single “golden” photograph.
The same timber changes under diffused daylight, side light and warm interiors. The aim is not maximum brightness, but continuous natural figure and genuine change as the viewing angle moves.
Do not judge color only under warm light or in highly saturated images.
Move your eye and the light; observe how bright figure shifts in position and strength.
Consider panels, frames, backs and structural members together.
A Note on Identification
The photographs and text here support material literacy, furniture records and visual reference. Images alone cannot reliably confirm species, age, buried condition or market value. Transactions, testing and legal provenance should rely on the object, documentation and appropriately qualified specialists.
Read the full Chinese guide →From knowing the material to living with it
Learn how to choose nanmu furniture, then build a starting group around home size, room and daily needs.
Measure and arrange the pieces you use.
NANXU / READING
Nanmu knowledge / Buying guides
Original buying notes are currently available in Chinese. Existing English guides and consultation remain available.
金丝楠、楠木、桢楠：买家具时先把名称问清楚
把商品名称、植物名称、木材鉴定与具体家具对应起来，比只问“是不是金丝楠”更有用。
阅读文章 →楠木百科金丝楠纹理怎么看：一份不靠滤镜的看样清单
用固定光线、多个角度与整件照片记录纹理，明确喜欢的是哪一种视觉效果。
阅读文章 →选购指南金丝楠家具价格怎么比较：先统一报价范围
不提供脱离实物的行情数字，用材料、尺寸、工艺和交付范围把报价放在同一基础上比较。
阅读文章 →楠木百科楠木家具含水率怎么问：结合到家后的环境看
含水率不是一个脱离地区、环境和测量条件的万能合格数字，沟通时应保留测量记录。
阅读文章 →使用养护金丝楠家具日常保养：先确认表面处理再动手
先认识涂饰和环境，再决定清洁方法；不把刷油、打蜡当作适用于所有家具的固定程序。
阅读文章 →选购指南金丝楠茶台选购：把泡茶习惯和水电位置画出来
从人数、操作动作、茶盘和清洁动线出发，选择适合日常使用的茶台。
阅读文章 →选购指南金丝楠木床怎么量：床垫尺寸之外还要确认什么
把床垫、床框外尺寸、床头高度和抽屉空间分开记录，减少到家后摆不下的风险。
阅读文章 →选购指南楠木柜选购：从外形好看走到真正好收纳
按物品和操作方式检查柜内净空、层板、门扇与五金，不仅比较柜子的外尺寸。
阅读文章 →交付准备大件楠木家具搬运前：门、电梯、转角怎么核对
用最大不可拆部件检查完整搬运路线，提前约定拆装、保护和交接方式。
阅读文章 →交付准备定制楠木家具如何验收：把确认单带到交付现场
按已确认的材料、尺寸、外观、使用功能和交付清单逐项核对，并记录待处理事项。
阅读文章 →Leave your WeChat ID in the consultation form and select WeChat as your reply preference.