Amboyna Burl (Narra)
Pterocarpus indicus • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Irregular, heavily burl-figured with tight bird's-eye clusters, swirls, and wild grain knots known as 'Amboyna' grain. High degree of chatoyancy.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from golden yellow to deep reddish-brown. The burl contains high-contrast swirls of orange-red and cream sapwood highlights. Deepens to a rich mahogany color with age and light.
Hardness Rating
1,260 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; high resistance to rot and termites, though burl sections may have small structural voids.
Common Uses
High-end veneer, fine furniture, knife handles, pen blanks, musical instruments (especially guitar tops), and luxury automotive dashboards.
Geographic Origin
Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia (East Indies), the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$50.00 to $100.00 per board foot; burl specimens are significantly more expensive and often sold by the piece.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern harvest; the sample appears to be a stabilized or processed turning blank roughly 1-5 years post-processing.
Sustainability Status
Listed on CITES Appendix II and the IUCN Red List as vulnerable due to over-exploitation.
Workability
Challenging due to highly irregular grain; prone to tear-out during machining. Best worked with extremely sharp hand tools or sanding/scraping. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive fragrant scent when being worked; it is the first burl ever used in Rolls-Royce dashboards. Highly prized as one of the world's rarest and most expensive burls.
Finish Recommendations
High-gloss finishes such as CA glue (for small items), lacquer, or polyurethane to accentuate depth and figure. Oils like Tung or Danish oil are also excellent.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive red-orange burl clusters, tight eyes, and dense grain structure are iconic and classic indicators of Pterocarpus indicus burl (Amboyna).