Amboyna is technically not a distinct species
of wood, but is the name of the burl wood
from any of the Pterocarpus species of
valuable timber. Most commonly timber
marketed as amboyna comes from the Narra
(Pterocarpus indicus) and also from burl
sections of the Burmese Padauk tree
(Pterocarpus macrocarpus).
The denomination derives from the island
Ambon in Indonesia, where much of the
figured wood is believed to have been initially
exported.
Amboyna is among the most expensive and
sought-after of all burls, primarily used for
cabinetwork and is frequently noted for the
ability take a high polish or veneer. The wood
is hard and heavy and the pattern of the grain
and the colouring are hardly equaled.
It is specifically divided between “Red
Amboyna” for material with the typical rich
reddish brown heartwood, or “Golden
Amboyna” for pieces with lighter yellowish
brown coloration, though it is not unusual for
pieces to contain sharply contrasting yellowish
sapwood.
- (RL.2006)
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