EBONY - THE ARISTOCRAT OF HARDWOODS

Ebony, a wood renowned for its value, doesn’t immediately come to mind when you talk about colonial furniture.
The wood is black and it makes a heavy impression. Here we take a look at why we call it ‘The Aristocrat of Hardwoods’ and why ebony maintains such an enduring popularity and allure.

PURE BLACK WOOD

Ebony, scientifically known as Diospyros Ebenum, is a black wood that originates from southern India and Sri Lanka. Renowned for its hardness, it lends itself well to intricate carvings. Once polished, its smooth surface exhibits a deep black lustre radiating a stunning brilliance.

Ebony trees are generally slow-growing and small and can take from 70 to 200 years in order to attain a usable size and mature. The older and darker ebony wood is, the more valuable it will be. Only a hundred and fifty year old tree and older can produce pure black wood, which is the most expensive type.

The low supply and high demand for this type of wood makes it more expensive than any other type of wood.

ADMIRED BY EUROPEANS

The production of ebony furniture in India appears to have commenced along the Coromandel Coast, a hub of textiles production and home to several East India Company trading factories. European visitors have expressed their admiration for ebony and ebony furniture since the sixteenth century.  A Dutch traveller, Georg Rumphius, recorded that “the Coromandel Coast ‘is exceptionally richly provided of this [ebony] as the natives make from it all kinds of curious works, as chairs, benches and small tables, carving them out with foliage, and sculpture” (Victoria & Albert Museum Collection, London).

BEAUTIFUL CARVING

The hardness of ebony allows for intricate carvings.
The Indian craftsmen were highly skilled, lavished their imagination and adorned the furniture with beautiful carving. Like on the single scroll legs of the British colonial ebony table on the photo on the left.

By the 17^th century, ebony had become one of the most appreciated of Indian woods in Europe, and quickly grew to be the most highly priced wood of that century. It was so popular in France, that ‘ébéniste’ is still the French word for cabinet maker. Furniture pieces of lesser woods were often “ebonized” (painted black) to make them look as if made of ebony.

EBONY WITH SATINWOOD OR MAHOGANY

Ebony was admired for its dark colour and sturdiness. It was seen as exotic wood and was too rare and precious to be solely used as a solid wood for the making of furniture. The furniture makers thus incorporated other techniques and materials while making ebony furniture.

Especially in Dutch colonial furniture, ebony was often used together with other types of wood like satinwood or mahogany. The Indian cabinet-makers used these timbers with great affect as can be seen on this piece, with the cabinet being almost an exhibition piece, showing off their skills and local timbers. Extremely popular in the 19th century these items of furniture have carried on their popularity into the 21st century. Sought after by collectors and designers this is a very rare and exceptional quality cabinet.

EBONY - THE ARISTOCRAT OF HARDWOODS

Ebony is a dense black hardwood and considered the Aristocrat of Hardwoods. It has a mirror finish when polished, making it valuable as a ornamental wood. It is often cited as one of the most expensive woods in the world.

At The Past Perfect Collection we are lucky to have many exceptional antiques in our collection. Each one is unique and a testament to the skill of the craftsmen and artisans from past centuries.

Find out more about our Antique Furniture and view our latest collection.

For the latest updates and happenings at The Past Perfect Collection, follow our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.