Pernambuco

Pernambuco wood, Brazilwood or Pau-brasil, is a species of tree in the Caesalpiniaceae family. It is native to the Mata Atlântica or Atlantic Forest located on the northeastern coast of Brazil.

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

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

Bow makers are now trying to fill this gap with other types of materials such as Ipê wood, wamara, astronium or carbon composites.