Amboyna is technically not a distinct species of wood, but is the name of the burl wood from any of the Pterocarpus species of valuable timber. Most commonly timber marketed as amboyna comes from the Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) and also from burl sections of the Burmese Padauk tree (Pterocarpus macrocarpus).
The denomination derives from the island Ambon in Indonesia, where much of the figured wood is believed to have been initially exported.
Amboyna is among the most expensive and sought-after of all burls, primarily used for cabinetwork and is frequently noted for the ability take a high polish or veneer. The wood is hard and heavy and the pattern of the grain and the colouring are hardly equaled.
It is specifically divided between “Red Amboyna” for material with the typical rich reddish brown heartwood, or “Golden Amboyna” for pieces with lighter yellowish brown coloration, though it is not unusual for pieces to contain sharply contrasting yellowish sapwood.