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 northeast 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 colour that can be extracted from it, it delighted dyers for many years, and still does today. Its exceptional qualities also make it a valuable material for bow makers who have used it for the manufacture of bows since the end of the 18th century.

François-Xavier Tourte, a famous French bow maker, was the first to discover it. 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 Ipe wood, wamara, astronium or carbon composites.