Deep, saturated browns in delicious red tones, distinctive dark streaks and a sweet, sweet, rose like smell. These characteristics pretty much describe a very attractive wood specie known as rosewood.
Deep, saturated browns in delicious red tones, distinctive dark streaks and a sweet, sweet, rose like smell, do you know what I am talking about? These characteristics pretty much describe a very attractive wood specie known as rosewood. You might have seen rosewood furniture in cafés, restaurants and bistros, did that ever make you wonder how rosewood got its name? The strong fragrance it has, is reminiscent of roses, hence the name rosewood!
Sheesham wood or Rosewood swatch in all its glory
Rosewood trees are hardwoods and belong to a genus called Dalbergia. They are primarily found in Brazil, India, Honduras, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Madagascar and Jamaica. All rosewood species are now protected worldwide as they are becoming endangered and you will be baffled to know that it is the most trafficked wild product in the world! All the 300 species can only be exported with a license as they are under strict trade restrictions. Kernig Krafts uses only licensed wood from wood farms, we don’t buy jungle wood, so none of the rainforests are hurt when you buy furniture from Kernig Krafts.
Handcrafted sheesham wood, classic chair made by Kernig krafts
The rosewood we are familiar with, Indian Rosewood or Dalbergia sissoo, popularly known as sheesham, shisham, sisso and sisu, is mostly planted and cultivated in Bihar. It is also grown in Punjab, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. For furniture making, sheesham is considered one of the best woods because of its matchless beauty and unique properties! Considering, online furniture in India has to be affordable and extremely durable, you will see that most of it is made of sheesham wood.
This wood needs to be dried before using it to make furniture, this process is known as seasoning. Sheesham is also an excellent wood for making musical instruments, ply, flooring, turnery and veneers. It the often used for making doors, windows and cabinets as well. Now, I will explain a few characteristics of rosewood that make it so enticing.
Why use rosewood?
Dense and Smooth. Sheesham has a straight grain and it is quite dense and heavy as compared to other wood species. It has a smooth surface and medium to coarse texture that responds very well to sanding and polishing. It's natural lustre is highlighted when it is sanded so sheesham shines when polished!
Natural resistance to dry-wood termites. It has high oil content, which makes it resistant to rot and decay. This also means that rosewood is strong and sturdy. It lasts a very long time, and though rosewood is endangered, furniture items made from it can be passed on from one generation to another as heirloom pieces.
Beyond Beautiful! Wicker and sheesham wood chair made by Kernig Krafts.
Unique, rich appearance. It is so aesthetically pleasing as it is, the surface doesn’t need to be covered with paint and unnecessary finishes. Sheesham looks the best with a simple stain that enhances its natural beauty. You might have noticed that online furniture in India uses minimal finishing on sheesham, the reason is that this wood looks the best, that way. This wood has a rich, luxurious appearance which means it looks stunning without even trying!
Ideal wood for carving. Sheesham cuts easily, its hardness is perfect for carving and for making engraved furniture items. It does not warp or bend or even split, which is another great benefit.
Rosewood chair, hand carved by skilled artisans, at Kernig Krafts, Jodhpur.
Affordable. Sheesham is not as expensive as other woods such as Teak wood but at the same time it is comparable to it in quality, longevity and sturdiness. If you are looking for a wood that is long lasting, mesmerising and not too expensive then you can go for rosewood furniture.
Easy to maintain. Rosewood furniture does not require a lot of maintenance. Practice basic dusting and cleaning at regular intervals and you're good to go.
Versatile. Rosewood is not just for making cabinets and musical instruments. It is used for umpteen items. Some of which are mentioned below.
A classic Windsor chair handmade from rosewood by Kernig Krafts
What all furniture can be made from rosewood ?
Rosewood is versatile and can be used to make anything and everything, but here’s a list of some furniture items that are often made with this wood.
Tables
End Tables
Dining Tables
Coffee Tables
Side Tables
Bar Tables
Office desks
Bedside Tables / Nightstands
Community Tables
Nesting Tables
Display Tables
Console Tables
Chairs and Stools
Ottomans
Bar Chairs
Low Height Chairs
Dining Chairs
Restaurant/Café Chairs
Rocking Chairs
Baby Chairs
Desk Chairs
Bar Stools
Accent Chairs
Wicker Chairs
Chaise Lounge
Storage
Cabinets
Cupboards
Chest of Drawers
Sideboards / Credenza
Racks
Shelves
Display Units / Étagères
Wine Cabinets
Bookcases
Knick-Knacks
Chopping boards
Planters
Trays
Serving Platters
Photo Frames
Table Lamps
Mirror Frames
Beds and headboards, sofas and sectionals, dressers, media consoles etc. there are so many more items that can be made from rosewood!
I hope you found this article informative, to know more about Sheesham wood feel free to drop an email at info@kernigkrafts.com. To find out how other woods compare to it, such as Teak wood, Mango wood and Acacia, read our articles on them here.
We are a leading business to business company for online furniture in India. Based in Jodhpur, Kernig Krafts provides bespoke furniture for cafés, restaurants and hotels, and beside Rosewood, we have 12 more varieties of woods to choose from.
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