Zebrawood: Difference between revisions
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{{For|the plants known as zebrawood|Zebrawood (disambiguation)}} |
{{For|the plants known as zebrawood|Zebrawood (disambiguation)}} |
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[[image:Zingana Holz.JPG|thumb|300px|Zebrawood]] |
[[image:Zingana Holz.JPG|thumb|300px|Zebrawood]] |
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The name '''zebrawood''' is used to describe several tree species and the wood derived from them. Zebrawood is characterized by a striped [[figure (wood)|figure]] that |
The name '''zebrawood''' is used to describe several tree species and the wood derived from them. Zebrawood is characterized by a striped [[figure (wood)|figure]] that reminiscent of a [[zebra]]. The name originally applied to the wood of ''[[Astronium graveolens]]'',{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} a large tree native to Central America. In the 20th century, the most important source of zebrawood was ''[[Microberlinia brazzavillensis]]'',{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} a tree native to Central Africa. Other sources include Brazilian ''[[Astronium fraxinifolium]]'', African ''[[Brachystegia spiciformis]]'',{{dubious|date=November 2014}} Pacific ''[[Guettarda speciosa]]'',{{dubious|date=November 2014}} and Asian ''[[Pistacia integerrima]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Zebrawood was first recorded in the British Customs returns for 1773, when 180 pieces of zebrawood were imported from the [[Mosquito Coast]], a British colony (now Republic of Honduras and Nicaragua).<ref>The National Archives (United Kingdom), Cust. 3.</ref> In his ''History of Jamaica'' (1774), [[Edward Long]] relates, 'The species of zebra wood at present in esteem among the cabinet-makers is brought to Jamaica from the Mosquito shore; it is of a most lovely tint, and richly veined...'.<ref>Edward Long, ''History of Jamaica'', 3 Vols, London (1774), III, pp. 837-8.</ref> |
Zebrawood was first recorded in the British Customs returns for 1773, when 180 pieces of zebrawood were imported from the [[Mosquito Coast]], a British colony (now Republic of Honduras and Nicaragua).<ref>The National Archives (United Kingdom), Cust. 3.</ref> In his ''History of Jamaica'' (1774), [[Edward Long]] relates, 'The species of zebra wood at present in esteem among the cabinet-makers is brought to Jamaica from the Mosquito shore; it is of a most lovely tint, and richly veined...'.<ref>Edward Long, ''History of Jamaica'', 3 Vols, London (1774), III, pp. 837-8.</ref> |
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The Mosquito Coast thereafter exported zebrawood regularly until the [[Convention of London (1786)]] and the consequent expulsion of British settlers from this part of the Viceroyalty of [[New Spain]]. |
The Mosquito Coast thereafter exported zebrawood regularly until the [[Convention of London (1786)]] and the consequent expulsion of British settlers from this part of the Viceroyalty of [[New Spain]]. |
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[[File:Zerurawood.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Zebrawood table]] |
[[File:Zerurawood.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Zebrawood table]] |
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An alternative name which occurs in 18th century British sources is '''palmaletto''' or '''palmalatta''', from ''palo mulatto'', which was the local name for the wood. At the beginning of the 19th century, another source of zebrawood was found in Brazil. This species, ''[[Astronium fraxinifolium]]'', is native to northern South America, especially north-eastern Brazil. It is now traded as [[goncalo alves]], a Portuguese name used in Brazil. On the European and American markets, however, it was still called zebrawood, and commonly used in British furniture-making between about 1810 and 1860. |
An alternative name which occurs in 18th century British sources is '''palmaletto''' or '''palmalatta''', from ''palo mulatto'', which was the local name for the wood. At the beginning of the 19th century, another source of zebrawood was found in Brazil. This species, ''[[Astronium fraxinifolium]]'', is native to northern South America, especially north-eastern Brazil. It is now traded as [[goncalo alves]], a Portuguese name used in Brazil. On the European and American markets, however, it was still called zebrawood, and commonly used in British furniture-making between about 1810 and 1860. |
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For most of the 19th century, the botanical identity of zebrawood was unknown. For many years, it was thought to be the product of ''Omphalobium lambertii'' DC., later reclassified as ''Connarus guianensis'' Lamb ex DC., and finally as ''[[Connarus lambertii]]'' (DC.) Britton. Despite similarities between the timbers of ''Connarus'' and ''[[Astronium]]'', the former has yet to be identified on surviving furniture. "Published statements that certain species [of ''Connarus''] supply furniture woods are undoubtedly incorrect."<ref>Samuel J. Record & Robert W. Hess, ''Timbers of the New World'', New York (1972), p. 135.</ref> |
For most of the 19th century, the botanical identity of zebrawood was unknown. For many years, it was thought to be the product of ''Omphalobium lambertii'' DC., later reclassified as ''Connarus guianensis'' Lamb ex DC., and finally as ''[[Connarus lambertii]]'' (DC.) Britton. Despite similarities between the timbers of ''Connarus'' and ''[[Astronium]]'', the former has yet to be identified on surviving furniture. "Published statements that certain species [of ''Connarus''] supply furniture woods are undoubtedly incorrect."<ref>Samuel J. Record & Robert W. Hess, ''Timbers of the New World'', New York (1972), p. 135.</ref> |
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In the 20th century, the name zebrawood, as applied to ''[[Astronium]]'' species, went out of use. The word now usually refers to wood of the very different African tree ''[[Microberlinia brazzavillensis]]'', but may be applied to other woods, mostly belonging to the same [[Fabaceae]] family, but not exclusively so, for example: ''[[Brachystegia spiciformis]]'' [[Goncalo alves]]. |
In the 20th century, the name zebrawood, as applied to ''[[Astronium]]'' species, went out of use. The word now usually refers to wood of the very different African tree ''[[Microberlinia brazzavillensis]]'', but may be applied to other woods, mostly belonging to the same [[Fabaceae]] family, but not exclusively so, for example: ''[[Brachystegia spiciformis]]'' [[Goncalo alves]]. |
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== Zebrawood proper == |
== Zebrawood proper == |
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The wood of ''[[Microberlinia]]'' (also known as Zebrano) is imported from central Africa, (Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo). The heartwood is a pale golden yellow, distinct from the very pale color of the sapwood and features narrow streaks of dark brown to black. Zebrawood can also be a pale brown with regular or irregular marks of dark brown in varying widths. It is almost always [[quartersawn]] to get the exciting alternating color pattern. |
The wood of ''[[Microberlinia]]'' (also known as Zebrano) is imported from central Africa, (Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo). The heartwood is a pale golden yellow, distinct from the very pale color of the sapwood and features narrow streaks of dark brown to black. Zebrawood can also be a pale brown with regular or irregular marks of dark brown in varying widths. It is almost always [[quartersawn]] to get the exciting alternating color pattern. |
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It is a heavy, hard wood with a somewhat coarse texture, often with an interlocked or wavy grain. The interlocked grain of this wood, like that of many tropical woods, can make it difficult to work. It is also a decorative exotic wood, used in a limited way for veneer, wall paneling, custom furniture, furniture trim, inlay bandings, marquetry, specialty items and turnery. It is also sometimes seen as [[Stock (firearm)|stock]]s of [[handgun]]s or in exotic guitars. In the past, it was used in [[Cadillac]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] automobiles. Because of its hardness, it can also be used for skis and tool handles. |
It is a heavy, hard wood with a somewhat coarse texture, often with an interlocked or wavy grain. The interlocked grain of this wood, like that of many tropical woods, can make it difficult to work. It is also a decorative exotic wood, used in a limited way for veneer, wall paneling, custom furniture, furniture trim, inlay bandings, marquetry, specialty items and turnery. It is also sometimes seen as [[Stock (firearm)|stock]]s of [[handgun]]s or in exotic guitars. In the past, it was used in [[Cadillac]] and [[Mercedes-Benz]] automobiles. Because of its hardness, it can also be used for skis and tool handles. |
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Revision as of 03:35, 9 March 2015
The name zebrawood is used to describe several tree species and the wood derived from them. Zebrawood is characterized by a striped figure that reminiscent of a zebra. The name originally applied to the wood of Astronium graveolens,[citation needed] a large tree native to Central America. In the 20th century, the most important source of zebrawood was Microberlinia brazzavillensis,[citation needed] a tree native to Central Africa. Other sources include Brazilian Astronium fraxinifolium, African Brachystegia spiciformis,[dubious – discuss] Pacific Guettarda speciosa,[dubious – discuss] and Asian Pistacia integerrima.[citation needed]
History
Zebrawood was first recorded in the British Customs returns for 1773, when 180 pieces of zebrawood were imported from the Mosquito Coast, a British colony (now Republic of Honduras and Nicaragua).[1] In his History of Jamaica (1774), Edward Long relates, 'The species of zebra wood at present in esteem among the cabinet-makers is brought to Jamaica from the Mosquito shore; it is of a most lovely tint, and richly veined...'.[2] The Mosquito Coast thereafter exported zebrawood regularly until the Convention of London (1786) and the consequent expulsion of British settlers from this part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
An alternative name which occurs in 18th century British sources is palmaletto or palmalatta, from palo mulatto, which was the local name for the wood. At the beginning of the 19th century, another source of zebrawood was found in Brazil. This species, Astronium fraxinifolium, is native to northern South America, especially north-eastern Brazil. It is now traded as goncalo alves, a Portuguese name used in Brazil. On the European and American markets, however, it was still called zebrawood, and commonly used in British furniture-making between about 1810 and 1860.
For most of the 19th century, the botanical identity of zebrawood was unknown. For many years, it was thought to be the product of Omphalobium lambertii DC., later reclassified as Connarus guianensis Lamb ex DC., and finally as Connarus lambertii (DC.) Britton. Despite similarities between the timbers of Connarus and Astronium, the former has yet to be identified on surviving furniture. "Published statements that certain species [of Connarus] supply furniture woods are undoubtedly incorrect."[3]
In the 20th century, the name zebrawood, as applied to Astronium species, went out of use. The word now usually refers to wood of the very different African tree Microberlinia brazzavillensis, but may be applied to other woods, mostly belonging to the same Fabaceae family, but not exclusively so, for example: Brachystegia spiciformis Goncalo alves.
Zebrawood proper
The wood of Microberlinia (also known as Zebrano) is imported from central Africa, (Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo). The heartwood is a pale golden yellow, distinct from the very pale color of the sapwood and features narrow streaks of dark brown to black. Zebrawood can also be a pale brown with regular or irregular marks of dark brown in varying widths. It is almost always quartersawn to get the exciting alternating color pattern.
It is a heavy, hard wood with a somewhat coarse texture, often with an interlocked or wavy grain. The interlocked grain of this wood, like that of many tropical woods, can make it difficult to work. It is also a decorative exotic wood, used in a limited way for veneer, wall paneling, custom furniture, furniture trim, inlay bandings, marquetry, specialty items and turnery. It is also sometimes seen as stocks of handguns or in exotic guitars. In the past, it was used in Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Because of its hardness, it can also be used for skis and tool handles.
Environmental issues
Zebrawood is considered a threatened species in its native habitat. Its fast-growing popularity in the West has resulted in some reforestation efforts, but these are not keeping up with the pace of harvesting. The extensive use of zebrawood in Prada's flagship Manhattan store in 2002 resulted in protests from environmentalists and a promise from Prada never to use wood from endangered forests again.