Vintage view: Antique rosewood

Kya deLongchamps says resilient vintage or antique rosewood retains strong appeal.

WHEN it comes to timbers I must confess that I can’t keep my strolling hands off a piece of vintage or antique rosewood. One of its many intoxicating charms, even besides the damask dark beauty of its figuring, is that fragile sappy scent it carries, even a century after felling.

A rich ruby with treacle thick veining, Dalbergia in its various geneses from India, Asia and South America, is one of a family of highly figured woods treasured for the making of furniture, stringed instruments and flooring.