Bahia rosewood (Dalbergia decipularis) is a plant in the pea family (Fabaceae) of the Dalbergia genus. It is found in Brazil and has a reddish coloured wood which is highly prized due to its special colour and high quality. The name ‘rosewood’ comes from the sweet smell which the wood gives off when cut and is reminiscent of roses, as is its deep reddish colour which quickly fades. As early as the 18th century rosewood was already a particularly valuable and expensive wood for furniture making and referred to as a ‘pound wood’. This name derived from the fact that, because of its rarity and unlike most other woods, prices were based on weight and not volume. Rosewood‘s comparatively high price means that it is seldom used as
solid wood but instead as a veneer for surfaces and inlays. Common uses are for furniture; luxurious small objects such as humidors and for making musical instruments. Rosewood is also sometimes used as an alternative to maple or palisander when making guitar fretboards and backs and is also often used to make recorders.