Sapele

Belonging to the Meliaceae family, it is distributed across West and Central Africa. Its color is reddish-brown to purplish, with interlocked grain that produces a distinctive ribbon figure resembling mahogany patterns when cut. It has moderate durability and finishes and polishes well, making it one of the most sought-after African woods in fine furniture-making.

Common Uses: Its distinctive ribbon figure makes it a favored wood for furniture-making that relies on visual appeal, while high-quality decorative veneer is cut from it, and it is also used in manufacturing doors and cabinetry, as well as boatbuilding, combining an elegant look with moderate durability.