Rosewood furniture — solid Indian rosewood, documented and container-ready.
Rosewood is the deep, dark-grained hardwood that makes a dining table or sideboard feel permanent. We manufacture it in Jodhpur from solid Dalbergia — CITES-compliant, Vriksh-verified and FSC chain-of-custody — so buyers get the look of heirloom timber with the paperwork to clear any port.
A dense Dalbergia hardwood with a dark, dramatic grain.
"Rosewood" is the trade name for timbers of the Dalbergia genus. In India's furniture export belt, rosewood most often means Dalbergia sissoo — known locally as sheesham and sold worldwide as Indian rosewood — and the denser, darker Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian rosewood). The heartwood runs from golden brown to deep chocolate and purple, streaked with near-black lines, and carries natural oils that resist wear and insects. It is a true heirloom-grade hardwood, which is also why it is legally controlled.
Rosewood, measured.
Reference values for the two Dalbergia species we work most. Figures are approximate; grain, colour and density vary by log and cut. We share piece-level specifications with your quote.
| Attribute | Indian rosewood (D. latifolia) | Sheesham / Indian rosewood (D. sissoo) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical genus | Dalbergia | Dalbergia |
| Heartwood colour | Dark brown to purple-black, strong streaking | Golden to deep brown, darker streaks |
| Grain | Interlocked, often figured | Straight to interlocked, lively figure |
| Janka hardness (approx.) | ~2,400 lbf | ~1,660 lbf |
| Density | High — a heavy, solid hardwood | Medium-high |
| Durability | Durable; natural oils aid wear & insect resistance | Durable; good indoor longevity |
| Workability | Harder on tools; excellent carving & finish | Good machining, carving & CNC |
| Best uses | Statement & contract pieces, carving | Dining, bedroom, living, décor at volume |
| Legality status | CITES Appendix II | CITES Appendix II |
For the full picture on our highest-volume rosewood species, see the dedicated sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) material guide.
Rosewood takes a finish like few other woods.
Oiled & waxed
Hand-rubbed oil and wax push the grain forward — the richest, most natural rosewood look, easy to maintain and refresh over a long service life.
Matte & satin lacquer
Low-sheen, hard-wearing lacquers for dining and contract surfaces, applied with CARB/TSCA-compliant, low-formaldehyde products for US and EU markets.
Stained & distressed
From light honey to deep espresso, plus lightly distressed and antique finishes — matched to your reference sample before production begins.
From dining tables to carved detail work.
Dining & tables
Dining tables, benches, consoles and sideboards where rosewood's density earns its keep.
Explore solid wood furniture
Bedroom & storage
Beds, chests, wardrobes and cabinets — the figured grain reads as premium on retail floors.
Explore bedroom furnitureCarving & décor
Saharanpur-style hand-carving, bowls, trays and accessories — rosewood holds fine detail.
Explore décor & accessoriesRosewood ships assembled or as knockdown / flat-pack to cut freight and breakage. Need your own design? We manufacture to your drawings and finishes (OEM) alongside our own catalogue (ODM), with custom CNC carving and retail-ready packaging.
Rosewood is controlled. We handle it by the book.
Because Dalbergia is listed on CITES Appendix II, rosewood only crosses borders cleanly with the right legality trail. We source and ship Dalbergia sissoo (sheesham) on a CITES-compliant basis, verified under Vriksh (EPCH's Indian timber-legality scheme) and held under FSC chain-of-custody, with EUDR-ready geolocation and deforestation-free due diligence built in.
| Requirement | Our standard for rosewood |
|---|---|
| Species control | CITES Appendix II handling (Dalbergia) |
| Timber legality | Vriksh verified |
| Sustainability | FSC chain-of-custody |
| EU market | EUDR-ready · geolocation · UKTR |
| US market | Lacey Act support · CARB / TSCA finishes |
| Export packing | ISPM-15 heat-treated · flat-pack options |
When rosewood is the right call — and when it isn't.
Choose rosewood for
- Density & durability — one of the hardest furniture hardwoods, ideal for dining and contract use.
- The look — deep, dark, figured grain that photographs and sells at a premium.
- Carving & detail — holds fine hand- and CNC-carved work crisply.
- Longevity — natural oils aid wear and insect resistance for heirloom-grade pieces.
Consider alternatives when
- Lighter tones are wanted — mango or acacia give warmer, brighter grain.
- Weight & freight matter — rosewood is heavy; lighter species or flat-pack reduce shipping cost.
- A green story leads — reclaimed/old wood offers a strong sustainability narrative.
- Simplicity rules — rubberwood or pine suit painted, entry-price ranges.
We supply all of these from one compliant source. Compare across our solid-wood materials or let us recommend by use, budget and market.
Rosewood furniture — buyer FAQs.
What is rosewood furniture made from?
Rosewood furniture is built from the heartwood of the Dalbergia genus. In the Indian export trade, rosewood most often means Dalbergia sissoo (sheesham, also called Indian rosewood) and Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian rosewood). It is prized for its density, deep brown-to-purple heartwood, dramatic dark streaking and natural oils that make it hard-wearing.
Is rosewood CITES-controlled, and can you export it legally?
Yes. Dalbergia species are listed on CITES Appendix II, so rosewood must be sourced and shipped with proper legality paperwork. We handle Dalbergia sissoo (sheesham) on a CITES-compliant basis, backed by Vriksh timber-legality verification, FSC chain-of-custody and EUDR-ready geolocation and deforestation-free due diligence, with US Lacey Act and UK Timber Regulation support.
How hard and durable is rosewood compared with other woods?
Rosewood is one of the hardest and densest furniture timbers. Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) rates around 2,400 lbf on the Janka scale and sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) around 1,660 lbf — both well above oak and far above pine. Its natural oils give good resistance to wear and insects, making it suited to dining tables, heavy-use and contract furniture.
What is the difference between rosewood and sheesham?
They overlap. Sheesham is the Hindi trade name for Dalbergia sissoo, which is itself sold internationally as Indian rosewood. True rosewood is the broader Dalbergia genus, which also includes the denser, darker Dalbergia latifolia. For most Jodhpur-made rosewood furniture, the working timber is sheesham — the same durable, richly figured hardwood under a different name.
What is your minimum order for rosewood furniture?
A trial or sample order can ship LCL (part-container). For best wholesale pricing thereafter, one 20ft full container load is our standard minimum, and we consolidate rosewood furniture with décor and metalware in a single mixed container. Typical lead time is 30–45 days, quoted FOB or CIF from Mundra or Nhava Sheva.
How do you finish and care for rosewood furniture?
Rosewood takes oil, wax, matte lacquer and hand-rubbed finishes beautifully, deepening its grain. We finish with CARB/TSCA-compliant, low-formaldehyde products. In service, keep pieces out of prolonged direct sun to preserve colour, wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth, and re-oil or wax periodically; avoid harsh solvents.
Get a quote on compliant, container-ready rosewood furniture.
Send your catalogue, drawings or a reference piece. We quote FOB or CIF with MOQs, lead times and the full CITES, FSC and Vriksh documentation your import needs.