Examples of the exotic wood species used in the Steinway Crown Jewel collection
MAHOGANY is sourced from Central and South America. It varies in color from golden to deep red-brown. Irregular grain patterns produce attractive figures such as fiddleback, blister, stripe and mottle. Patterns range from straight to wavy or curly.
KEWAZINGA BUBINGA is a very large West African timber. It is distinguished by its vibrant red color, streaked with dark purple, and its conspicuous pores. Kewazinga Bubinga is highly valued for architectural and design woodwork as well as fine cabinetry.
SANTOS ROSEWOOD comes from Belize. This treasured wood has large, irregular pores that vary both in size and position. Shades of dark brown range from chocolate to violet, with conspicuous black streaks.
EAST INDIAN ROSEWOOD is sourced from southern India and Sri Lanka. This distinctive wood is dark brown to ebony in color and is often streaked with red or yellow. The pattern features small to medium pores in wavy lines, with occasional crotches and swirls.
MACASSAR EBONY, also known as French Rosewood, is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in the East Indies. A prized wood, it is often used for inlays and other ornamental work. Its color ranges from dark brown to black, with many of the logs streaked with yellowish brown or gray. Grain markings are fine and very indistinct.
FIGURED SAPELE is an exquisite dark red-brown wood distinguished by its stripe and "bee's wing" pattern. The grain varies considerably, with highly lustrous light stripes. Figured Sapele is found in Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.
AFRICAN POMMELÉ, sometimes known as Pommelé Sapele, is native to the highland forests of south-central Africa and is prized for its rich colors and patterns. Dark reddish brown or purplish brown, African Pommelé has a lustrous, wavy, uniform figuring.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Kewazinga Bubinga wood come from?+
Kewazinga Bubinga is a very large West African timber, distinguished by its vibrant red color streaked with dark purple and its conspicuous pores. It is highly valued for architectural and design woodwork as well as fine cabinetry.
What does Macassar Ebony look like and where is it from?+
Macassar Ebony, also known as French Rosewood, is endemic to the island of Sulawesi in the East Indies. Its color ranges from dark brown to black, with many logs streaked with yellowish brown or gray, and its grain markings are fine and very indistinct.
What are the characteristics of Figured Sapele wood?+
Figured Sapele is an exquisite dark red-brown wood distinguished by its stripe and 'bee's wing' pattern. Its grain varies considerably, with highly lustrous light stripes, and it is found in Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.
Where is Santos Rosewood sourced from?+
Santos Rosewood comes from Belize. It features large, irregular pores that vary in size and position, with shades of dark brown ranging from chocolate to violet and conspicuous black streaks.
What colors and grain patterns does Mahogany have?+
Mahogany is sourced from Central and South America and varies in color from golden to deep red-brown. Its irregular grain patterns produce attractive figures such as fiddleback, blister, stripe and mottle, ranging from straight to wavy or curly.
What is African Pommelé wood?+
African Pommelé, sometimes known as Pommelé Sapele, is native to the highland forests of south-central Africa. It is prized for its rich dark reddish brown or purplish brown color and its lustrous, wavy, uniform figuring.