Zebrawood
The name zebrawood is used for wood with a figure that resembles the striping of a zebra, with dark stripes on a light background. The name originally applied to the wood of Astronium graveolens Jacq.,a large tree native to Central America.
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[edit] History
Zebrawood was first recorded in the British Customs returns for 1773, when 180 pieces of zebra wood were imported from the Mosquito Shore (now Republic of Honduras and Nicaragua).[1] Thereafter the wood was exported regularly until the late 1780s, when the British settlers on the Mosquito Shore were moved out following the Convention of London (1786). 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].
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 fraxinofolium Schott, is native to northern south America, especially north-eastern Brazil. It is now traded as goncalo alves, a name which was current in Brazil before 1800. On the European and American markets, however, it was still called zebra wood, and commonly used in British furniture-making between about 1810 and 1860.
For most of the 19th century the botanical identity of zebra wood was unknown. For many years it was thought to be the product of Omphalobium lamberti DC., later reclassified as Connarus guianensis Lamb ex DC., and finally as Connarus lambertii (DC.) Britton. However, although there are similarities between the timbers of Connarus and Astronium, the former has yet to be identified on surviving furniture. Record and Hess stated that 'published statements that certain species [of Connarus] supply furniture woods are undoubtedly incorrect'.[3]
In the 20th century the name zebra wood, as applied to Astronium spp., went out of use, and it now usually refers to wood yielded by Brachystegia spiciformis Benth. (formerly Microberlinia spp.), but may be applied to other woods, mostly belonging to the same family, but not exclusively so, for example: Goncalo alves.
[edit] 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 colour 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 colour pattern.
It is a heavy and 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.
[edit] 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 this is not keeping up with the pace of destruction. 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.
[edit] References
- ^ The National Archives (United Kingdom), Cust. 3.
- ^ Edward Long, History of Jamaica, 3 Vols, London (1774), III, pp. 837-8.
- ^ Samuel J. Record & Robert W. Hess, Timbers of the New World, New York (1972), p. 135.
