The use of Ebony is as old as Ancient Egypt. Both history and surviving architecture confirm that it was used
for ancient Egyptian furniture and inlay work. It was also used as a tribute payment buy persons from other lands
visiting
from Ebony ) as gifts to the King of Babylon.
Veneering ( used since 3000 BC ) often featured Ebony, which was applied to a less prized wood and at times
combined with ivory to form rich and intricate patterns.
Truly black Ebony is now difficult to source and many of the species more readily available today will be black and
brown or grey striped or mottled rather than consistently jet black. Macassar Ebony is one of such appearance.
The timber is fine grained, very hard and extremely heavy. It can be used wherever it can be of decorative
advantage ( eg door handle, knobs etc, the backs of brushes, billiard cues, musical instruments, organ stops,
black keys on keyboards instruments).
The lighter hue of Macassar Ebony does not prevent it being used for the same purposes as Black Ebony. You will
find it used in carved work, turning, in-lay work, decorative veneers and the sapwood is used for tool handles.
Its workability is very difficult, causing blunting of cutters and pre-boring is definitely essential when nailing.
Although it is unsuitable for gluing, it accepts finishes well.
The timber does not season well and checking and splitting are difficult to avoid.
There is little movement in service.
Here are some specific
characteristics and details regarding
Macassar Ebony
Species: Diospyros Celebica
Diospyros Macassar
Source:
The
Durability: Very durable and resistant to preservation treatment.
Seasoning: Slow, with considerable degrade in the course of seasoning
Weight: 68 lb / ft3