Doug - As you know, I am not the person who has given an opinion on the blanks in question, but I can give you an idea of how I go about my
due diligence before I make any claims about the materials used in my pens.
There are quite a few reference books and articles relating to furniture from China, particularly relating to period pieces. There are also a number of recognized experts in the field who have written extensively. Furthermore, there are a few highly rreputable dealers in antique furniture from China.
By reading and viewing available photographs of items described by these experts, I either determine that my wood is real or not. I also employ my own experience through visual, smell, taste, weight, sound, etc. of the piece in question. The frequency of offers that I find reputable leads me to either trust or distrust a source. My trust or lack thereof is not something that should be used to refute a claim as I am not an expert.
While I do not have my comprehensive list of sources, here are a few which should prove valuable for anyone who wishes to do the research.
Acknowledged experts
Curtis Evarts
Sarah Handler
Michael Beurdeley
Yang Yao
Robert Ellsworth
Camille Fung
Edward H. Schafer
Sandra Lok Fu Chin
Reference Books and other publications
-Liangyi Collection
-A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture from The Palace Museum Collection
-Splendor of style : classical furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties
-Chinese Furniture: A Guide to Collecting Antiques
- Classical Chinese Wood Furniture
Websites and links
http://www.theimixclub.com/
http://www.shimu.co.uk/
http://www.orientations.com.hk/php/index.php
http://www.wctg.net/