Exotic timber is a general term for wood imported from outside a country's native forests, especially decorative tropical species used in furniture, panelling, boxes, turnery and musical instruments. In British usage it describes timbers such as mahogany, rosewood, ebony, satinwood, teak, padouk, camphor and zebrawood, as distinct from native woods like oak, elm, ash, walnut and fruitwoods.
The arrival of exotic timber in Britain was closely tied to global trade and empire. Ships brought logs from the Caribbean, the Americas, Africa, India and the Far East, and the availability of these woods shaped fashions in furniture from the eighteenth century onwards. Campaign furniture, Anglo-Indian pieces and colonial furniture often combine exotic timbers with British forms, while Victorian and Edwardian makers used them extensively for veneers and inlay. Identifying exotic timber can be difficult, as many species look similar once polished and aged, and dealers rely on colour, weight, grain and smell when worked. When buying, it is worth asking about the species, since legislation on endangered woods and ivory affects the sale and export of some antique pieces, and accurate description supports correct paperwork and value.
