During the Ming and Qing periods, with European and American expatriates coming to China, red sandalwood furniture first became widely exposed to the world. The export of red sandalwood furniture started during this period. Some of the most exquisite pieces, which typically appear in international auction houses, are often pieces documented as missing in Chinese historical books. Antique red sandalwood furniture is among the most expensive furniture in auction markets, mainly because there are so few pieces and the scarcity of the wood means that they are typically constructed to the highest standards.

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