Tulipwood is one of the rarest and most decorative of the exotic timbers used in fine furniture, admired for its vivid pinkish tones streaked with purple and rose. A member of the rosewood family (Dalbergia decipularis), tulipwood was imported from Brazil in the 18th and 19th centuries and prized for its jewel-like beauty. Because it was available only in small logs, it was used almost exclusively as a veneer or inlay, adding flashes of colour and refinement to luxury furniture.
Origins and Qualities
Native to coastal Brazil, tulipwood was brought to Europe in limited quantities through Portuguese and later British trade. Its name derives from the timber’s striking colouration, reminiscent of tulip petals, ranging from pale pink to deep rose with darker streaks. Like other rosewoods, it is dense and fine-grained, capable of a superb polish. Because of the small diameter of the trees, tulipwood was rarely used in large panels, instead being carefully cut into veneers for intricate decorative work.
Decorative Uses
Tulipwood was celebrated for its vivid contrast when combined with paler woods such as satinwood, sycamore, or boxwood. It was frequently used in marquetry and parquetry, particularly in bandings, crossbandings, and floral inlays. French ébénistes of the Louis XV and Louis XVI periods employed tulipwood extensively in veneered commodes and tables, often alongside kingwood and amaranth. In England, it was used more sparingly but with equal effect, appearing in fine Regency work tables, writing slopes, and small luxury items.
Makers and Styles
English cabinetmakers such as Gillows of Lancaster and London occasionally incorporated tulipwood veneers in Regency and early Victorian furniture, particularly in smaller-scale pieces. Tulipwood was also admired in continental imports, with French pieces veneered in tulipwood finding their way into English collections. Its brilliant colouring and rarity ensured that it was always associated with the most fashionable and high-status furniture.
Legacy
Tulipwood’s scarcity limited its widespread use, but this very exclusivity enhanced its desirability. Today, antique furniture incorporating tulipwood veneers is admired for its delicacy, colour, and association with 18th- and 19th-century luxury craftsmanship. Whether in the subtle banding of a Regency table or the marquetry of a continental commode, tulipwood remains one of the most striking and collectable of the exotic timbers.
