Ebony. Ebony (ebony)
Ebony is one of the hardest and heaviest woods on the planet.
Earth. It got its second name “black wood” because of its color,
sometimes really almost black. Although historically the name is black
the tree was assigned to a rare variety of African rosewood. ebony
the tree has many species and even more commercial varieties. Common to
all varieties are density, usually close to or greater than 1.
strength, hardness, such that cutting tool for normal operation
have to sharpen frequently. Very difficult to process, very expensive. ebony dust
often causes allergic reactions. Ebony wood is very difficult to dry,
often improperly dried wood cracks. Besides, it's wrong
dried wood is very unstable.
Madagascar |
Madagascar ebony, ebony, Ebony - Madagascar, lat. Diospyrus spp.. A tree up to 15-20 meters high and up to half a meter in diameter. Found on Madagascar and Seychelles. The blackest of all varieties of ebony. The color is often literally anthracite black with a metallic sheen when fresh. cut. Commercial varieties - striped M.E. (Madagascar Ebony Striped) or gray (Madagascar Ebony Striped/white grade) first has stripes dark brown, the second - pale gray. Wood of all types very dense, very hard, very heavy. The cutting tool quickly dulls. Sawdust M.E. also gives black. |
 Macassar |
Ebony Macassar, Makassar, Ebony - Macassar, lat. Diospyros macassar. A type of ebony tree common in Southeast Asia. tree up to 20 meters and up to 70 cm in diameter. The wood is dark brown with black and dark and light brown stripes. It has a very nice texture. Density, hardness and weight are slightly lower than M.E. Sawdust brown. Tool dulls quickly. |
 Gabonese |
Gaboon ebony, Ebony-Gaboon, Mgiriti, Msindi (Tanzania), Omenowa (Ghana), Kanran, Nyareti (Nigeria), Kukuo (Gabon), lat. Diospyros spp.. ebony tree of the same species as M.E. Widespread in equatorial western Africa. The wood is black, but not radically black, in color, often brownish or with brown stripes. Density, hardness, slightly inferior to M.E., but slightly easier. Sawdust is dark brown. The cutting tool dulls very quickly. |
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Ceylon ebony, lat. Diospyros ebenum. One of the most expensive species |
 Philippine |
Philippine ebony, Diospyros discolor (celebica). Very similar to Macassar however own kind. Has a richer texture than Macassar, denser it and often harder. Color from black to dark brown, with streaks from brown to cream and pale yellow. Has commercial varieties such as Pale Moon Ebony. Sawdust brown. |
 Pale moon ebony |
Pale moon ebony, Diospyros discolor. commercial variety Philippine ebony. Fantastically beautiful texture to name “ebony” does not turn the tongue. Color from pale yellow to absolutely black with beautiful intertwining stripes of various shades. Despite the light shades, it is as dense, hard and heavy as all ebony. Good for decorating cues, especially in combination with Madagascar ebony. A very rare variety. |
Ceylon ebony- one of the types of ebony, which is an elite wood species. Today it is almost impossible to find it.
Wood stain: types and colors
It grows in Ceylon, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The wood has the most selective qualities: unusually hard, without clearly visible pores, lends itself well to polishing and processing, resistant to water and even termites. It is dark brown, almost black in color. The wood is usually fairly uniform, but rarely has dark or light streaks. Sawdust is dark brown.
Due to its hardness, wood quickly dulls the tools that cut it. But it polishes well.
In the 16th and 19th centuries, the finest furniture was produced from Ceylon ebony.
Density is 1250-1400 kg/cu.m.
Ceylon ebony cues look very good. All the valuable properties of the tree are transferred to the cue. Therefore, it is good in the game, has optimal rigidity and is resistant to external influences.
Ebony - African ebony - Black rosewood - African ebony - Grenadill: the main trade names for this wood species in Russian
Blackwood - African Blackwood - Pau Preto - Grenadille - Black Rosewood - African Ebony - Ebony Mozambique: The main trade names for this wood species in other countries.
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Scientific classification:
Dalbergia melanoxylon (legume family Fabaceae, subfamily of the legume leguminosae proper, often separated into an independent family. In the classification by color, the moth family Rapillionaseae.
Local and trade names:
Trade names most commonly used: African Blackwood (Afikan ebony), African Ebony
(African ebony), Black Rosewood (Black rosewood), Black Ivory (Black bone), Grenadille D'Afrique
(Grenadilla African), Pau Preto (Portuguese, Ebony) and a number of others.
Local names in African countries are Mpingo, Mondzo, Ebene, Mufunjo, Mugembe, Babanus, Mukelete, Mozambique Ebony, Congowood. One of the most beautiful woods in the world. The main exporters of Ebony are Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa. African ebony is often passed off as cheaper and more affordable various types of ebony from Asia and a number of Indian Ocean islands.
Wood properties:
The tree reaches a height of 10 meters or more, the trunk is corrugated, with a diameter of more than a meter in mature trees.
The density of Ebony has a wide variation and is 1200 - 1500 kg / cubic meter. at 15% moisture, such large differences in density are due to growing conditions, such as soil cover characteristics (more dense wood corresponds to stony, clay soils with insufficient moisture, less dense wood is characteristic of trees growing on more fertile soils with sufficient moisture). It is difficult to accurately determine the density of the presence of many defects of natural origin inside the core - in the process of growth in the Ebony, even in the early stages of growth, cavities and gaps form inside the trunk due to the difference in densities. Ebony has the hardest of all wood species (8 HB according to Brinell), more than 2 times the hardness of oak, has a high impact strength, and resists shock loads well. Bending strength up to 200 MPa. The shrinkage coefficient in the radial direction is 2%, in the tangential direction 4% (for comparison, Asian ebony has 5.5% and 6.5%, respectively. It is recommended that the ends of freshly sawn lumber be coated with wax or other airtight composition to avoid cracking. The main problem is the presence of internal cavities and cavities, tears formed in wood, which significantly reduces the yield of first-class material.The color of the core is chocolate brown, often with lilac, violet tones, with beautiful pattern black stripes, vein of annual rings, darkens with time.
Ebony (ebony)
The sapwood is light, yellowish, less dense. Ebony sticks together well, because of the oiliness, preliminary grinding and degreasing (white spirit, etc.) of the surfaces to be glued is recommended. Due to the high density and hardness during processing, the cutting edges of the tool become dull quickly; the use of saws with carbide tips is recommended during processing. Drilling is required prior to driving screws and driving nails. Ebony wood is perfectly polished, processed on a lathe, is not subject to decay and damage by insects due to saturation with oily substances.
Application:
Basically, ebony wood is used in traditional carvings of African art of the Makonde people living in Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi. Ebony is used in the manufacture and decoration of billiard cues and accessories. There are several cases of ebony parquet and solid wood furniture sets. Ebony is mainly used as veneer for decoration and inlay of furniture and musical instruments.
in remote areas East Africa the local population still uses ebony wood as fuel - both as firewood and in the form of charcoal. Due to the high calorific value of ebony, it is used only for heating the home, as even steel utensils quickly burn out.
Medicinal properties:
In Mozambique it is used in traditional methods treatment by the local population as an effective remedy for colds, treatment of malaria and headaches and as a bactericidal and disinfectant (smoke inhalation, infusions from the crushed core). used in the ceremonies and rituals of the kurandeiru of some peoples of East Africa. Ebony does not cause allergies, even when inhaled for a long time, fine black dust formed during sawing. Splinters in the skin do not become inflamed. In Europe in the Middle Ages, it was believed that poisons lose their power in ebony dishes, tinctures on ebony were used as elixirs of youth, until the end of the 19th century, a medicine was used to treat sexual disorders in men, made from an infusion of ebony parts. Modern healers (kurandeyru) of East Africa (Mozambique, Tanzania) also make a means to increase male potency from the core, bark and flowers of ebony.
Makonde celebrate the "good spirit" of Ebony, it is well known that master carvers who work with Ebony wood all their lives rarely get sick and are long-lived by local standards, maintaining their efficiency and clarity of mind until the end of their days.
Foliage, flowers and fruits (pods with several peas of beans) are edible and high in calories, eaten by the local population, herbivores and birds.
History reference.
BLACK AND EBONY
The earliest finds of African ebony in the form of products were made in the tombs of the pharaohs. ancient egypt.
AT Ancient Greece African ebony wood was referred to as "ebenos", which later became Latin "ebenicus", which then became English "ebony" and is used along with its synonym "blackwood" ("ebony"). Later, dark-colored wood from Asia appeared in the Old World, and before the introduction of the scientific classification of plants, "ebony" was called any dark-colored wood.
In the 19th century, with the introduction of the scientific classification of plants, it became clear that trees belonging to two different families had black wood, the words "ebony" and "blackwood" ceased to be synonymous in scientific and commercial fields.
The African ebony turned out to be a member of the legume family, a species (Melanoxylon) of the genus Dalbergia (named after the Swedish botanist Dalberg), in international trade it remains the name "Blackwood". And its less expensive substitute of Asian origin was included in the genus Diospyros (while the genus Diospyros includes many other species that do not have black wood - for example, the Caucasian persimmon known to us) - and the entire plant family, which includes the genus Diospyros, received the name Ebony (Ebenacae), in international trade the term "Ebony" remained behind it, ebony or ebony - while in a number of countries African ebony continues to be called as well.
Here is a collection of local and trade names for African Ebony found in different countries:
African ebony
African Black Rosewood
African ebony
african ebony
African Grenadill
African iron tree
Grenadill
mozambican grenadilla
mozambican ebony
mozambican ebony
Ebony
black iron tree
black rosewood
black bone
African blackwood
African Blackwood Rosewood
African ebene
African ebony
African grenadillo
African grenadilo
Babanus
Banbanus
Begboio
black botanical bay wood
Black Ironwood
Black Ivory
Black Rosewood
Blackwood
Blackwood Rosewood
Bokango
cape damson
Chella
Chiku
Congowood
Did
Driedoring
East African blackwood
ebene
Ebony of Africa
Funiti
Grenadilla
Grenadilla d'Afrique
Grenadille d'Afrique
Lurr
Motangu
mozambique ebene
mozambique ebony
Mpingo
Mufulamamba
Mufunjo
Mugembe
Mugweze
Mugwiti
Muhati
Mukelete
Mukudziti
Mumhingwe
Mungara
Moonhowe
Murgwiti
Murwiti
Opo
pau preto
pau-preto
pingo
Poyi
Red
Rit
Rugbe
Samachi
Senegal ebony
Shami
Tareh
umbambangwe
Zebrawood
Ebony or ebony belongs to the genus of tropical trees Persimmon (Diospyros). This tree grows in tropical forests India, Africa, South Asia.
2. Eben, as it is also called, refers to valuable wood species.
3. It grows very slowly, due to which the wood acquires a significant density - up to 1300g / m3. Due to the increased density, it sinks in water.
4. Contains essential oils and therefore resistant to negative influences external environment: humidity, high temperature, does not rot.
5. In terms of hardness and strength, ebony wood is 2 times higher than oak wood.
Ebony wood dust can irritate human skin, lungs and eyes.
Of the 103 types of ebony, several main ones can be distinguished:
Cameroon ebony- perhaps the most common variety of ebony. Characteristic black color.
moon ebony- unlike the previous one, a very rare variety of ebony. Moonlight ebony is the only wood with light tones and a beautiful texture. It grows in the Philippines and in the forests of Myanmar. Prohibited for felling and export. Exclusive billiard cues, decorative furniture, souvenirs and inlays are made from moon ebony. Products from this breed are very expensive.
Madagascar ebony- dark brown wood with small pores. Resistant to moisture.
Macassar ebony- sometimes called "colored" ebony, because it has a black heartwood with a pattern of light yellow and brown stripes, and sapwood is yellowish white. The wood of Sinamakassar ebony is quite resistant and dense.
moon ebony — given tree grows in Vietnam and Laos. The coloring resembles Macassar ebony.
Ceylon ebony Also called "black ebony". Wood exceeds oak in hardness by 2 times.
Ebony
The surface is perfectly polished and becomes perfectly smooth.
8. Drying ebony wood is a very laborious process. Therefore, beforehand, in order to stop the growth of trees, they cut the trunk in a circle.
9. Eben is widely used in the manufacture of furniture, musical instruments. Figurines and souvenirs are expensive and considered collectible.
10. Most species of this tree are listed in the Red Book.
The trade name ebony, or ebony, combines all species of the botanical genus Diospyros predominantly with a black sound zone. Accordingly, D. ebenum (Ceylon ebony or ebony), as a more reliable source of ebony, has been called true ebony. However, there are other types, the wood of which can be completely black or only slightly streaked, or mottled with black, brown or gray strokes and stripes. Diospyros ebenum, Koenig, known as real, true ebony or ebony.
Other names
tendu, tuki, ebans.
Spreading
Sri Lanka and South India.
Wood
D. ebenum reaches best development in Sri Lanka, where the diameter of a tree is usually about 0.75 m. In India, the diameter is usually 0.3 m or more. Benign straight part of the trunk 4.5 m long.
Wood
The sapwood is light yellowish gray. The core is glossy black, very rarely with a few light strokes. Wood with a metallic sheen and a fine, even texture. The fibers can be straight, somewhat disordered or wavy, the density of dry wood is about 1,190 kg/m³.
Drying
Usually, ebony is dried with great difficulty, since long, narrow and deep cracks are possible, especially in large assortments and blanks. The logs can be split freshly cut and then sawn to the minimum allowable size and stacked, shading them from the sun. Biological drying by banding is also possible 2 years before felling. In this case, the cut timber is stored in a shelter.
Fortitude
Black heartwood is very durable when the sapwood is removed.
Technological properties
Very difficult for manual and machine processing. Black wood is brittle and tends to split. Uneven or wavy fibers can pick up when planing, so cutting angles must be reduced to 20° to obtain a smooth surface. Good for turning. With careful finishing, it gives a shiny dense surface. Suitable for high quality polishing.
Application
Artistic and decorative crafts, parts of musical instruments (for example, piano keys, fingerboards, tailpieces and string instrument stands), turnery, knife handles, brush blocks, chopsticks, wood inlays and mosaics.
An ebony tree is a black (or black with stripes) wood of some trees of the genus Persimmon (Diospyros) of the ebony family (Ebenaceae). Heartwood without visible annual rings is very hard and heavy and is one of the most valuable tree species. The yellow-gray sapwood, which is removed from the tree immediately after felling, can occupy up to 70% of the trunk and is never sold because it is considered ugly. The density of ebony is 1050 kg/m3 at 15% humidity. This means that this wood sinks in water.
The concept of "Ebony" combines different species that have black wood. The most famous are the Ceylon ebony, which grows in India, Sri Lanka, and the African ebony, which grows in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Zaire.
Among dealers in exotic woods, there is a fair amount of confusion in the identification and names of wood. In the distant past experienced craftsmen determined wood by eye and touch by color, texture and density, rarely making mistakes, because a small number of domestic and foreign tree species were used. But when the timber of numerous tropical species from Asia, America and Africa, errors in identification became inevitable, especially in color, which is often similar in wood from different genera and families. Hence the confusion with red and ebony.
Nevertheless, ebony is a common commercial name for the wood of some trees belonging to different families (ebony, acacia, legumes, etc.). The color of wood in these species is usually dark or black. It is due to microbiological processes occurring in living wood, as well as the color of the resin, characteristic of each species. In addition to the color of the core wood, these species are united by others. general properties: high density and hardness, resistance to biological damage.
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Ebony- hearty scattered vascular hardwood with narrow white sapwood. The core is glossy black, the annual layers are invisible, the core rays are narrow, not visible on any section. The vessels are small, collected in radial groups of 2-3 together; the cavities of the vessels and fibers of the libriform are often filled with accumulations of black nuclei. The density of dry wood of the first of these botanical species 1190 kg/m3, the second - 1030 kg/m3. The sapwood is narrow, sharply contrasting in color with the heartwood. Caucasian persimmon and some other species are sapwood, in which ripe wood and sapwood do not differ in color.
Ebony varieties:
Cameroon ebony(Diospyros crassiflora) comes from Africa and is the most common variety of ebony on the market, usually deep black or veined with gray. It is characterized by pronounced open pores, as a result of which it is valued significantly lower than other, finely porous varieties.
Ceylon ebony(Diospyros ebenum), which is now almost impossible to obtain, has the most best quality: very hard, good polishability, practically no visible pores, good machinability, resistant to termites and water. In the 16th-19th centuries, it was from this variety of ebony that the best furniture was made.
Madagascar ebony(Diospyros perrieri) has a dark brown color, very fine pores, is resistant to termites and water, its density is about 1000 kg/m³.
Macassar ebony(Diospyros celebica) (Indonesia) is considered a "coloured" ebony, its sapwood is yellowish white and its heartwood is black with a very characteristic pattern of light yellow and brown stripes; very dense and persistent, its dust causes irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs (the dust of other ebony too). Density ranges from 1100 to 1300 kg/m³.
moon ebony(Diospyros mun) comes from Laos and Vietnam and is similar in coloration to Macassar ebony.
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The sapwood of an ebony tree is white, yellowish-white, beige, darkening under the influence of the sun and air. Caucasian persimmon has gray to dark gray wood. y core different types and even individual representatives of the species has a different color. Individual trees produce jet black wood (D. dendo) or with a brownish, sometimes purple tint (other species) without noticeable, lighter stripes. However, these species often have a core with brown and dark brown sexes. It has been noticed that the older the wood of these species, the closer it is to black, the less visible the stripes.
Makassar, or ebony from Southeast Asia, has a core with black brown, red-brown, sometimes beige stripes.
The wood of all tropical species has a natural luster, most often matte, and only in some species (D. Dendj and D. Discolor) - metallic.
The fibers of the ebony core are straight, sometimes twisted or wavy. The texture is rich (especially in species with a striated nucleus) and even. The texture of some species (especially D. discolor) resembles marble.
Ebony wood is very dense and heavy. Only backout and some types of rosewood have a higher density. The density of wood of almost all types of ebony is in the range from 900 to 1100 kg / m3 (at a moisture content of 12%). The densest - Ceylon ebony - 1190 kg / m3.
The mechanical properties of ebony wood are very high. The flexural strength for the main African and Indian species has a value of 180 to 190 MPa. The hardness is more than 2 times higher than that of oak. Ebony wood resists shock loads well.
Ebony wood is very difficult to dry. In countries where this wood is harvested, preliminary (two years before harvesting) cutting of trees is still used. It lies in the fact that at the base of the trunk, layers of cambium (sapwood) are cut in a circle in a circle to stop the growth of the tree. After harvesting and sawing, the boards are stacked, the ends are covered with lime or other material and carefully sheltered from the sun and strong drafts in order to avoid the wood drying out too quickly. Drying time is at least 6 months. In case of violation of the drying regimes, warping of the boards and intensive formation of cracks occur. Ebony wood dries out a little.
All types of ebony are difficult to cut due to their high density and the presence of mineral inclusions in the wood. Due to this, the cutting edges of the tool quickly become dull. Workpieces having wavy fibers are especially difficult to process. In addition, ebony, especially Macassar, has a tendency to chip. Works well on lathes. If you need to use nails or screws, you must first drill the blanks. Ebony wood is polished to a mirror finish.
The bonding ability of different species is rated from good to satisfactory. Very poorly impregnated with various liquids. It has low hygroscopicity (high density and small vessels filled with core substances) and, as a result, high stability (provided that drying is carried out correctly) under various conditions (in terms of temperature and humidity) - best performance only in blackwood and backout.
The ability to bend (with pre-steaming) is rated as good, but after this operation, the heartwood becomes brittle.
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Treated wood exhibits a very high resistance to damage by fungi and insects (even termites).
Ebony, in particular ebony, has been used by people since ancient times. It has always been greatly appreciated. It was mainly used for religious objects, sculpture and other crafts, musical instruments, and expensive furniture. It was believed that it successfully resists poisons, so dishes were made from it.
Now solid ebony is rarely used, mainly only for individual parts of very expensive furniture and musical instruments.
Products made of ebony wood (figurines, candlesticks, canes, vases and much more) are rightfully considered rare and valuable acquisitions, they become a real decoration of the house, occupy a worthy place in collections. And to become the owner of a piece of ebony furniture is a luxury that few can afford. Long years it was the privilege of the highest nobility.
Currently, sliced ebony veneer is used for furniture of musical instruments (eg guitars), inlays, marquetry, etc.
Ebony wood has pure black or colored striped wood. She does not have pronounced annual rings. Very heavy and hard, it is perhaps the most valuable of all tree species. Such properties are inherent in some representatives of the genus Persimmon from the Eben family.
Description and characteristics
Ebony (photo posted in the article) is a diffusely vascular sound hardwood with a white narrow sapwood (a layer of wood directly adjacent to the bark). It has a core with inconspicuous black annual layers with a glossy surface. Its heart-shaped rays are very narrow, so they cannot be seen on any of the cuts. Small vessels, collected in radial groups, are most often filled with black-colored nuclear substances.
The density of dried ebony wood can vary from 1000 to 1300 kg/m³. The sapwood is quite narrow and contrasts sharply with the dark color of the heartwood. However, Caucasian persimmon, as well as several other types of trees, have one significant difference. It lies in the fact that their sapwood and ripe wood are exactly the same in color.
Fruit
I must say that since ancient times it has been covered with mystical legends and beliefs. For example, the ancient Greek scientist Pausanias wrote that it is barren and does not even have leaves, but consists only of roots that the Ethiopians use for healing.
Most ebony growing in the tropics and subtropics are evergreen, but there are also deciduous species common in temperate climate. Caucasian persimmon also belongs to this genus. The fruit of the ebony tree is very large and tasty, resembling a tomato in appearance. In ancient Chinese scrolls, they wrote about him 3 thousand years ago. Persimmon can be eaten raw, as well as jam, marshmallow, candied fruits and even wines and liqueurs. In addition, it is considered a good dietary product.
African varieties
Such a concept as ebony ebony combines several species that grow in Asia (Sri Lanka, India) and Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria, Zaire, Ghana). Its main feature is the very dark core color.
Cameroon ebony is the most common, which is imported from the continent. It has a deep black color, sometimes with gray streaks. Main Feature of this wood are pronounced open pores, because of which it is valued much less than other fine-pored varieties.
Madagascar ebony is a dark brown wood with a density of up to 1000 kg/m³, with almost imperceptible pores, extremely resistant to moisture, it is not afraid of termites.
Asian varieties
Makassar ebony - "colored" wood, the sapwood of which has a yellowish-white color, grows in Indonesia. The kernel itself is black with brown or light yellow stripes and has a very dense structure, reaching up to 1300 kg/m³. The dust of this tree, as, indeed, of other ebony, is very toxic. It can cause various allergic reactions in the human body, for example, irritation on the skin or mucous membranes.
Mun ebony is a wood very similar to Makassar, but it comes from Vietnam and Laos.
Ceylon ebony has the best qualities: hard, with invisible pores, excellent polishing, extremely resistant to moisture and harmful insects. Products from it are very difficult to find, as they are quite rare and are considered the highest quality and most expensive. It was from such wood that the best craftsmen made their furniture in the 16th-19th centuries.
Exclusive varieties
Moon ebony is a very rare variety of the mabolo species. It grows in the Philippines and is found exclusively in the impenetrable rainforests of Myanmar. This ebony which has unusual light shades, looks very beautiful. So, immediately after sawing, white wood with soft, greenish stains prevails, but after drying, the color scheme changes to a golden yellow hue with black patterns, stripes and veins. Sometimes, instead of dark ones, other shades can be observed, for example, blue or chocolate.
By the way, it is strictly forbidden to cut down and export moon ebony in Myanmar. Quotas for its harvesting are sold very rarely, and even then in small quantities. Such strictness is due to the fact that only those trees whose age is from 400 to 1000 years are intended for felling. Interestingly, the moon ebony appearance is no different from others. Its color will be visible only after cutting.
Drying Features
The ebony tree grows rather slowly: it may take centuries until it reaches commercial size. It is because of this that the wood becomes so dense (up to 1300 kg / m³) and easily sinks in water. Its mechanical properties are very high: the bending strength of some Indian and African species reaches 190 MPa, and the hardness is 2 times higher than the strength of oak. In addition, ebony perfectly withstands large shock loads.
Drying such wood is not an easy task. If you break the technology, it will greatly decrease in volume. Therefore, in countries where they are engaged in harvesting, as in ancient times, they make a special preliminary cutting 2 years before cutting down. It is produced in this way: layers of sapwood are cut in a circle at the base of the trunk in order to stop the growth of the tree.
After the harvesting and sawing of the trunk is completed, the finished boards, the ends of which are carefully treated with lime or other material, are stacked in piles. The place for their further storage should be sheltered from the sun and not have drafts. Only by observing all the above conditions, you can avoid too rapid drying of the wood. This process usually takes at least six months. If at least one of the rules is violated, the boards can warp and become covered with numerous cracks.
Production features
It should be noted right away that the ebony tree is quite difficult to process, so men usually do this. Such painstaking work requires a lot of effort, and even making a small figurine can take a very long time. In addition, before starting work with an ebony wood blank, you need to take care of safety. As mentioned above, dust and sawdust can cause an allergic reaction, so craftsmen usually wear glasses and
Indeed, ebony is very difficult to cut due to its high density, as well as the various mineral inclusions that are present in it. These properties have a negative effect on the cutting edges of tools, which dull very quickly. The most difficult workpiece is considered to be the one whose fibers have a wavy structure. In addition, some types of wood are prone to chipping, especially Indonesian macassar. However, it works well on lathes. After the product is ready, it is polished and thereby gives it a beautiful matte sheen.
Application in the manufacture of musical instruments
People began to use ebony for their needs in ancient times. It is worth noting that it has always been in price, so it was used mainly for the manufacture of various religious objects, sculptures, and, of course, expensive furniture. In addition, it is believed that ebony wood is able to neutralize poisons, for this reason it was very often used to make dishes.
Eben is quite widely used in the manufacture of musical instruments such as flute, oboe and clarinet. Also, ebony is great for piano keys and individual parts of the guitar, especially shells and necks. Professional musicians appreciate such instruments very much. So, a polished ebony shell on a guitar does not emit unnecessary extraneous sounds even if the mediator accidentally “jumps off” the string.
Application in the furniture industry
In the 17th century, ebony wood was used not only for inlay work, but also for veneering. But they began to show the greatest interest in it only 200 years later, when fashion began to take shape, based on styling for other cultures, for example, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Indian, etc. Curule chairs with X-shaped legs were in particular demand. In ancient Rome, they were made of ivory or bronze, and in the century before last, they were made of ebony. It looked light and elegant, but in fact it was a solid and reliable design.
Nowadays, becoming a happy owner of furniture made of ebony is an unheard-of luxury that not many people can afford. Due to its properties, ebony, products from which are valued all over the world, is considered a very expensive material. Vases and figurines, canes and candlesticks, skillfully carved by talented craftsmen, will become truly valuable and rare acquisitions that can decorate any home.
Varieties
- Cameroon ebony ( Diospyros crassiflora) comes from Africa and is the most common variety of ebony on the market, usually deep black or with gray streaks. It is characterized by pronounced open pores, as a result of which it is valued significantly lower than other, finely porous varieties.
Ceylon ebony elephants
- Ceylon ebony ( Diospyros ebenum), which is now almost impossible to obtain, is of the best quality: very hard, highly polishable, virtually no visible pores, well workable, resistant to termites and water. In the 16th-19th centuries, it was from this variety of ebony that the best furniture was made.
- Madagascar ebony ( Diospyros perrieri) has a dark brown color, very fine pores, is resistant to termites and water, its density is about 1000 kg/m³.
Macassar ebony
- Macassar ebony ( Diospyros celebica) (Indonesia) is considered "coloured" ebony, its sapwood is yellowish-white, and the heartwood is black with a very characteristic pattern of light yellow and brown stripes; very dense and persistent, its dust causes irritation to the skin, eyes and lungs (the dust of other ebony too). Density ranges from 1100 to 1300 kg/m³.
- Moon ebony ( Diospyros mun) comes from Laos and Vietnam and is similar in coloration to Macassar ebony.
Application
Ebony wood is used primarily in the manufacture of furniture. It is also used for inlays and veneers, or in the manufacture of musical instruments and art. It is known from history that it was a favorite wood for door and window handles, cutlery handles, trimmings were used to make knitting needles and hooks or razor handles.
Etymology
Nowadays, ebony is called ebony from the genus Diospyros, growing in India and Sri Lanka, but in the Bible under the name håvnîm Heb. הָבְנִים meant a similar tree that was brought from Nubia. Studies of the dark wood that is found in Egyptian tombs (Egyptian hbny = ebony) made it possible to establish that this is the wood of the African ebony (Dalbergia melanoxylon) from the legume family. This tree is native to the dry areas near the southern border of the Sahara.
Eben in mythology
Of the 103 species of the genus Diospyros most are categorized as endangered ( vulnerable), 14 to the category "in danger" ( endangered) and 15 to "extreme danger" ( critically endangered). Only 21 species are categorized as "low risk" ( low risk) and two to "out of danger" ( least concern), namely Diospyros ekodul and persimmon ordinary Diospyros lotos.
see also
Notes
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Synonyms:- Black Sunday (1935)
- Black Sun
See what "Ebony" is in other dictionaries:
EBONY- certain types of trees, ch. arr. tropical, most often fam. ebony, as well as black wood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon) and black wood dalbergia (Dalbergia melanoxylon) fam. legumes and some others. also solid wood these… … Biological encyclopedic dictionary
ebony- several types of tropical trees, mainly of the ebony family, as well as the name of the dark or ebony wood of these trees, from which furniture, wind instruments, etc. are made. The so-called stained wood also has dark wood ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
ebony- ebony, very dark, almost black wood of tropical trees. In Africa, Ch. d. give trees from the genera diospyros, dalbergia, and others. See also ... Encyclopedic reference book "Africa"
ebony- ebony, species of tropical trees with very dark, often almost black wood, sometimes with a bluish or red tint. The most important types of Ch. grow in the Old World. AT Latin America the highest quality Ch. d. gives ... ... Encyclopedic reference book "Latin America"
Ebony- some species of trees, mainly tropical, most often of the ebony family, as well as black wood acacia (Acacia melanoxylon) of the mimosa family (from Australia), black wood dalbergia (Dalbergia melanoxylon) of the family ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
EBONY- several tropical species. trees, ch. arr. family ebony, as well as names. dark or ebony wood of these trees, from which furniture, wind instruments, etc. are made. Dark wood also has the so-called. bog oak… Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary
Ebony- 1. Razg.. Shuttle. African, Negro 2. Jarg. corner., arrest. Tea. TSUZh, 195. 3. Jarg. they say Shuttle. iron. Rubber police baton. Baldaev 2, 142 ... Big Dictionary Russian sayings
Red-black tree- Type search tree Invented in 1972 Invented by Rudolf Bayer Time complexity in About symbolism Average Worst case Memory consumption O(n) O(n) Search O(log n) O(log n) Insertion O(log n) O( log n) Deletion O (log n) O (log n) Red black ... ... Wikipedia
Eben (ebony)- Black (or black with stripes) wood of some trees of the genus Persimmon (Diospyros) is called ebony. Heartwood without visible growth rings is very hard and heavy and is one of the most valuable tree species. Yellow-gray sapwood, which ... Wikipedia
coromandel ebony- Coromandel ebony ... Wikipedia
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