Tulipwood

Grand piano
MFA#1985.924

Description

Jewelry cabinet
MFA# 65.2504

A high quality, dense, figured wood from the Brazilian tulipwood tree Dalbergia decipularis. The name tulipwood has also been given to numerous other similar hardwoods obtained from Myrtales trees native to the Americas, such as Dalbergia frutescens (Central and South America), Physocalymma scaberrima (Brazil), and Harpullia pendula (North America). Tulipwood is used in veneers, fine furniture, inlay, marquetry, musical instruments (percussion), and small novelty items.

Tulipwood (Dalbergia frutescens)

Synonyms and Related Terms

Tulip lancewood; tulip tree; pau rosa; bois de rose; pinkwood; pau de fuso; jacaranda rosa; Dalbergia decipularis; Dalbergia frutescens; Physocalymma scaberrima; Harpullia pendula; palisandro (Esp.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Heartwood is streaked with yellows, reds, oranges, and pinks; Color and figure can be highly variegated
• Pores are open and medium-sized; Grain is usually straight, with a fine texture.
• Wood is resistant to insects but not decay
• Density = 60 ppcf

Working Properties

• Cab be difficult to work due to its high density; also has a blunting effect on cutters
• Can be difficult to glue do to an abundance of natural oils and high density
• Turns very well and takes a high polish

Resources and Citations

• The Wood Database: Brazilian Tulipwood
• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 825

• F. H. Titmuss, Commercial Timbers of the World, The Technical Press Ltd., London, 1965

• George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulipwood (Accessed Oct. 3, 2005)