What can lignum vitae be used for?

Lignum vitae is a tropical hardwood, known for being self-oiling. It was used for building steamship bearings and pulleys. For medicinal purposes, the resin of lignum vitae was known to help treat gout and skin infections. Today, it is used primarily for carving. Shop a collection of lignum vitae furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Lignum Vitae

Bulldog Inkwell

Duplo Contemporary

Wood Ball Furniture

Brass 19th Century Inkwells

Bowling Ball

Lawn Balls

2 Door Sideboard

Freestanding Sculpture

Antique Treen Ware Coquilla Nut, Glove Box, Chess Dice Shaker, Lady's Card Case

$468

Antique Treen Ware Coquilla Nut, Glove Box, Chess Dice Shaker, Lady's Card Case

Located in Dublin, Ireland

Stylish Flame Mahogany French Glove Box of traditional form, complete with original working lock, lacking key. A Lignum Vitae Chess Dice Shaker. Circa 1820. Ladys Calling Card Ca...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency More Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Set of 33 Antique Wood Bowling Balls, Late 1800's USA

$44,500 / set

Set of 33 Antique Wood Bowling Balls, Late 1800's USA

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Each piece is meticulously crafted from Lignum Vitae, a prized tropical hardwood native to the Caribbean and South America, renowned for its extraordinary density and durability.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Wood

A Pair of Northern English Mahogany Spindle-Back Armchairs, circa 1760

$5,675 / set

A Pair of Northern English Mahogany Spindle-Back Armchairs, circa 1760

Located in Kinderhook, NY

A similar example is pictured in the reference below and described as "A mahogany elbow chair with open back of turned vertical spindles or small balusters , constructed of solid mah...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-19th Century English Turned & Carved Treen Twine Holder Box

$360

Mid-19th Century English Turned & Carved Treen Twine Holder Box

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Mid-19th century turned & carved treen twine holder box, English. Made of lignum vitae. The container & lid & base separately turned & screw together - the "jar" of a...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

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Lignum Vitae For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the lignum vitae you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every lignum vitae was constructed with great care. Find 52 options for an antique or vintage lignum vitae now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer lignum vitae, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A lignum vitae is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Victorian, Mid-Century Modern and Georgian styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one lignum vitae that is appealing in its simplicity, but Luísa Peixoto produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Lignum Vitae?

The average selling price for a lignum vitae at 1stDibs is $1,950, while they’re typically $199 on the low end and $85,000 for the highest priced.

Questions About Lignum Vitae

What can lignum vitae be used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Lignum vitae is a tropical hardwood, known for being self-oiling. It was used for building steamship bearings and pulleys. For medicinal purposes, the resin of lignum vitae was known to help treat gout and skin infections. Today, it is used primarily for carving. Shop a collection of lignum vitae furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.