The Sacred Woods of Africa: A Guide to Materials
Comparing Our Primary Woods:
Wood Type, Color and Hardness (Janka Scale): Ebony wood (Jet black) with 3,080 hardness is great for Small, detailed pieces. Mahogany wood (Reddish-brown) with 900 hardness is best for Medium/large sculptures. Iroko wood (Golden yellow) with 1,260 hardness is perfect for outdoor installations.
Why We Avoid Softwoods:
Pine or rubber wood may be cheaper, but they:
Dent easily (a fingernail can leave marks)
Warp in humidity
Lack the rich grain patterns of hardwoods
Pro Tip: Run your hand over the surface—quality carvings feel cool to the touch (a sign of dense wood).
Wood Samples: A styled lineup of ebony, mahogany, and iroko blocks.
Grain Close-Ups: Highlighting unique wood patterns (use lightbox effect).
Durability Demo: A sculpture next to a scratched/damaged imitation
Ebony: The Black Gold of Carving
The deep, almost metallic blackness of African ebony (Diospyros crassiflora) makes it the most coveted carving wood. Our artisans wait years for logs of sufficient size - mature ebony grows just 1mm in diameter annually. When working this ultra-dense wood (Janka hardness: 3,080 lbf), carvers must sharpen tools every 30 minutes. The payoff comes in the finish - properly polished ebony reflects light like dark glass. Our signature ebony pieces undergo a 3-month oil-curing process that prevents the hairline cracks common in improperly dried specimens.
Mahogany: The Sculptor's Canvas
African mahogany (Khaya spp.) offers the ideal balance between workability and durability (Janka: 900 lbf). Its interlocking grain creates mesmerizing ribbon patterns when quarter-sawn - a technique we specify for all tabletop pieces. Unlike South American varieties, African mahogany has natural UV resistance, fading to a warm silver patina outdoors rather than graying. Our carvers exploit its moderate density for intricate detailing; the wood holds knife edges crisply without splintering. Each mahogany sculpture includes a small test patch on the base where clients can observe how finishes develop over time.
Iroko: Africa's Teak Alternative
Called "African teak," iroko (Milicia excelsa) withstands weather extremes that would warp lesser woods. Its natural oils repel insects - traditional builders use it for roof beams lasting centuries. We source our iroko from managed forests in Ghana where trees are GPS-tracked. The golden hue darkens to rich amber outdoors, requiring just annual tung oil treatments. Our garden sculptures feature iroko's distinctive "pom-pom" grain pattern - swirling clusters that resemble starbursts when polished. For coastal clients, we recommend iroko's superior salt-air resistance over genuine teak.
Lesser-Known Specialty Woods
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) offers a cosmic shimmer - its interlocked grain creates alternating light/dark bands called "fiddleback" figuring. We use it for musical instrument carvings where this optical effect enhances motion. Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon), though softer, permits astonishing delicacy - our lace-pattern bowls showcase its 1mm-thin carving potential. For collectors, we offer rare African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) pieces - so dense (Janka: 3,670 lbf) they sink in water and require diamond-cutting tools.
Sustainability in Practice
Our "One Tree, Three Futures" program ensures ethical sourcing: for every tree harvested, we fund planting three indigenous replacements. The 2023 audit showed 94% of our wood comes from community-owned forests with rotational cutting cycles. We reject endangered species like African rosewood, offering stunning alternatives like stained pearwood that mimic its luster. Each sculpture comes with documentation.
