Macassar ebony is scientifically known as diospyros celebica. Diospyros is the family that ebonies belong to. Persimmon is also in this family. The name diospyros translates to “fruit of the gods”, just a little bit of trivia.
Macassar ebony is native to the Celebes Islands, which are also called the Sulawesi Islands of the East Indies. It is also found in Maluku and Borneo, known as the Greater Sunda Islands of Indonesia. The name Macassar is most likely from the famous Macassar seaport on the islands. Some retailers have used the term Macassar ebony for any ebony that has a high contrast of light and dark streaks, although most people today limit the term to the species Diospyros celebica.
Macassar ebony heartwood is dark brown to black, with contrasting bands of yellow to golden brown. The sapwood is light red in color.
Macassar ebony is very hard, dense and heavy, but can be extremely brittle at its heart. With that combination, Macassar ebony’s uses are often relegated to the decorative, where strength is not a factor. The sapwood is not as brittle and is used to make tool handles.
Macassar ebony poses problems initially because the lumber is difficult to dry. Trees are routinely girdled at least two years prior to being logged. Girdling involves cutting through the cambium layer around the circumference of a growing tree to terminate its growth before felling. In effect, girdling allows seasoning to begin while the tree is still standing. The lumber is prone to checking so experts recommend that it be dried slowly and carefully. Sun damage is possible so the wood should be stored in a shady spot. Experts recommend an air drying period of six months after the logs are felled when the logs are in plank form. The wood should be covered during this period. Slow drying avoids problems with checking.
This is not a cue, but check this beautiful specimen out.
Tracy
Macassar ebony is native to the Celebes Islands, which are also called the Sulawesi Islands of the East Indies. It is also found in Maluku and Borneo, known as the Greater Sunda Islands of Indonesia. The name Macassar is most likely from the famous Macassar seaport on the islands. Some retailers have used the term Macassar ebony for any ebony that has a high contrast of light and dark streaks, although most people today limit the term to the species Diospyros celebica.
Macassar ebony heartwood is dark brown to black, with contrasting bands of yellow to golden brown. The sapwood is light red in color.
Macassar ebony is very hard, dense and heavy, but can be extremely brittle at its heart. With that combination, Macassar ebony’s uses are often relegated to the decorative, where strength is not a factor. The sapwood is not as brittle and is used to make tool handles.
Macassar ebony poses problems initially because the lumber is difficult to dry. Trees are routinely girdled at least two years prior to being logged. Girdling involves cutting through the cambium layer around the circumference of a growing tree to terminate its growth before felling. In effect, girdling allows seasoning to begin while the tree is still standing. The lumber is prone to checking so experts recommend that it be dried slowly and carefully. Sun damage is possible so the wood should be stored in a shady spot. Experts recommend an air drying period of six months after the logs are felled when the logs are in plank form. The wood should be covered during this period. Slow drying avoids problems with checking.
This is not a cue, but check this beautiful specimen out.
Tracy