Pernambuco

Pernambuco wood, Brazil-wood or pau-brasil, is a species of tree in the Caesalpiniaceae family. It is native to the Mata Atlântica or Atlantic forest on the north-eastern coast of Brazil.

At the time of its discovery by the Europeans, it was mainly imported and used in Europe by the textile industry. Thanks to the ember-red colour that can be extracted from it, it has delighted dyers for many years, and still does today. Its exceptional qualities also make it a valuable material for bow makers, who have been using it to make bows since the late 18th century.

François-Xavier Tourte, a famous French bow maker, was the first to discover it. Unfortunately, due to overuse and massive deforestation, the pernambuco is now endangered.

Today, bow makers are trying to find alternatives with other types of materials such as Ipe wood, wamara, astronium or carbon composites.