Brazilwood
Item
Identifier
2025.104
Title
Brazilwood
Alternative Title
Pernambuco; Paubrasilia echinata
Type
Material
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Description
The block is covered in a layer of wax. When Portuguese explorers found Paubrasilia on the coast of South America, they recognised it as a relative of an Asian species of sappanwood already used in Europe for producing red dye. The Portuguese named these trees pau-brasil, the term pau meaning wood, and brasil meaning reddish/ember-like. The South American trees soon dominated trading as a better source of dye. Such a vigorous trade resulted from the woods that early sailors and merchants started referring to the land itself as Terra do Brasil, or simply, the "Land of Brazil", from this use, the present name of Brazil was derived.
Measurements
Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz. (1534 gr), 6 x 5-7/8 x 3 in. (15.5 x 15 x 7.4 cm)
Medium
Wood
Subject
wood; woods; tree; trees; dyes; dye; dyeing; dye wood
Source
Gift of Dr. Sarah K. Rich
Copyright statement
These images are posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses may not be permitted.