**Core Tip:** The unique, twisted texture formed due to environmental growth conditions is known as "cow hair rosewood." In essence, it's a type of sandalwood rosewood. This characteristic is often used as an identification feature for red sandalwood. However, this isn't entirely accurate. Many high-altitude, slow-growing red sandalwoods lack this texture and have a much smoother and finer grain.
Red sandalwood, green sandalwood, ebony, white sandalwood, Dalbergia, and other similar woods all include the term “tang†(which translates to “Bushing Degree†in Sanskrit) in their names. While this term alone may not carry much meaning, when combined with “zi†(meaning purple), it evokes a sense of nobility, elegance, and richness. Many people are familiar with the term “red sandalwood,†but few understand its true origin or how it has evolved over time. This ambiguity adds to the confusion surrounding the wood.
The current mahogany market is quite chaotic, with many species looking similar. Even red sandalwood can vary significantly in appearance based on factors like climate, soil, and harvesting time. As a result, distinguishing between different types becomes challenging without extensive experience. Additionally, the use of the word “tang†in wood names has led to inflated prices, making it common for lesser-quality woods to be sold as red sandalwood. This has left many consumers and enthusiasts confused and unsure of what they're actually buying.
This article aims to clarify one specific type of wood—often referred to as “red sandalwood.†Its scientific name is *Sandalwood rosewood*, and it’s also commonly called “lobular rosewood.†Despite being called “red sandalwood,†the quality and texture of the wood can vary widely depending on where and how it was grown.
To help readers better understand red sandalwood, I’ve included several images. However, no single image can capture all the variations in texture. Therefore, these photos are for reference only. For a deeper understanding, hands-on experience is essential.
**Is Red Sandalwood Already Extinct?**
Red sandalwood, known as “Sacred Wood†in India, is valued for its beautiful, changing colors and its resistance to pests. It has been used for centuries in religious and decorative purposes. Historically, the earliest recorded source of red sandalwood dates back to the Funan Kingdom, which existed in present-day Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand around 1 AD.
China has a long history of using red sandalwood, especially during the Ming Dynasty. Admiral Zheng He brought large quantities of the wood from Southeast Asia, and later, Emperor Zhu Xi continued to import it. By the Qing Dynasty, red sandalwood had become scarce, and most of the available stock came from earlier collections. Due to its slow growth and limited supply, the wood became increasingly rare.
During the mid-Qing period, shortages forced the use of alternative woods like mahogany. The court even paid high prices to private traders to acquire remaining stocks. By the time of Yuan Shikai, very little red sandalwood remained in China.
After World War II, red sandalwood fell out of favor, but with economic recovery, it began re-entering the market. However, its slow growth, low yield, and export restrictions caused its price to skyrocket.
**Related Reading:** *Sandalwood Rosewood Furniture: Buy Thick, Not Long*
**Does Red Sandalwood Have Many Classifications?**
Some sources classify red sandalwood into categories like “cow hair rosewood,†“rhinoceros rosewood,†and “chicken blood rosewood.†However, these terms are more about visual characteristics than actual classification. They arise from differences in growth conditions and soil, and using them without proper context can lead to confusion.
According to the Chinese Academy of Forestry, red sandalwood must meet specific criteria, such as having dark heartwood, a dry density greater than 1, and tube holes smaller than 160μm. Without clear standards, identifying real red sandalwood becomes difficult, leading to costly and unreliable tests.
The main source of red sandalwood is the tropical rainforests of the Nanyang Islands. Known scientifically as *Pterocarpus santalinus L.*, it is also referred to as Venus Rosewood. The presence of “golden stars†depends on the age of the heartwood and the cutting method.
In 1996, a shipment of wood from Madagascar was identified as red sandalwood by the National Palace Museum. This sparked a new wave of interest, but it eventually led to controversy. The UN Environment Programme intervened, warning Madagascar to stop harvesting and trading the wood. A detailed report confirmed that the wood was not true red sandalwood, leading to further confusion.
In 2000, China introduced a national standard for redwood, which classified several species, including “Lushi Black Dalbergia,†as red sandalwood. This change created more confusion, as the term “red sandalwood†now applied to a broader range of woods.
Today, many people still confuse “small-leaf red sandalwood†with “big-leaf red sandalwood.†These distinctions were largely driven by marketing rather than scientific accuracy. Understanding the true nature of red sandalwood requires careful study and experience.
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