Curly birch and its figured wood

Curly birch is a hereditary form of silver birch. Its figured wood has irregular brown markings. NIBIO describes its use for furniture details, veneers and knife handles.

Distinguish from flame figure

Flame-figured wood has wavy fibres but lacks the characteristic brown cells responsible for the curly-birch markings. Flame figure and this figured wood are therefore different descriptions.

What does this mean for assessment?

A material name alone does not identify the maker, date or selling price of an object. Use a precise, qualified description if the wood has not been securely identified.

Practical example: For a figured cupboard door, record “possibly curly birch” and examine whether the door has wood veneer, rather than assuming the entire cupboard is made from the same material. Photograph the whole object, pattern, edges and existing damage without scraping new areas.

Keep material identification separate from information about ownership history and origin. Clarify treatment before sanding or repairing an older object.

Explore interiors and antiques at OBA, or send photographs of the object for assessment and possible purchase.