Lignum vitae

Lignum vitae, called pokkenholt in Norwegian and Pockholz in German, is heavy, hard timber from species of the genus Guaiacum. The name identifies a material, not a particular furniture workshop or object type.

Characteristics and uses

Wood anatomists Richter and Dallwitz describe heartwood ranging from brown to blackish brown and greenish, with a surface that may appear greasy. Colour and weight alone nevertheless cannot securely identify the species of a finished object. Surface treatment, patina and the object's construction also require examination.

The wood has been used for objects requiring durability, including tools and components in pulley blocks. BADA also lists mortars and pestles among its uses. The Science Museum Group holds a turned mortar and pestle recorded as lignum vitae, dated within the period 1651 to 1850. This is a documented museum object, not a dating rule for every wooden mortar.

Assessing older wooden objects

Photograph the entire object, visible end grain and any marks without scraping or cutting its surface. Record dimensions, weight, cracks, wear and repairs in a condition report. Describe uncertain timber identification as an assessment, rather than an established species.

As a practical example, a dark, heavy mortar can be compared with museum-recorded examples, but similar shape or colour does not establish the same wood, age or origin. Receipts and earlier descriptions belong to the ownership history and should be checked against the object itself.

Next step: Browse OBA's wooden objects for current items. When offering an object for sale, detailed photographs and known background help with an initial assessment.

Sources: Richter and Dallwitz on Guaiacum, BADA on lignum vitae, Science Museum Group, mortar A658981 and SNL on the Norwegian material name.