Black Oak
Attributes
The oak tree is identified with the honor, nobility and wisdom due to its size and longevity. There are specimens that live over 300 years, making oak tree a life-affirming symbol.
Ancient monarchs wore crowns of oak leaves, a symbol of the god they embodied on earth. As well as Roman commanders, that were awarded with crowns made of oak leaves during victory parades.
Many believe that oaks have a healing influence on stress levels, fatigue, weakness, and decreased mental health, so walks among these large trees are strongly recommended.
It the dream of an oak tree is considered to predict a long and prosperous life.
Origin
This unique beautiful material comes from oak tree trunks that have been preserved in moist soil or water for a few hundred up to a few thousand years. Due to the fact that oak contains tannins which react with iron salts present in water and soil, this wood will change its colour over time gradually becoming grey-black and even navy blue-black.
Black oak can be found in central Europe, especially in river basins. Because of its rarity only the best artisans use it in their work, be it as inlays, incrustations, valuable veneers or artistic wooden furniture, art objects or jewellery. The limited availability and high value of the material means that there should be no compromise as to the quality of the handiwork, which should strive to bring out the beauty of the wood grain.
In S&A we use black oak that was found in a river in Gdansk, the Motlawa and carefully transported to the factory. The tree trunk dried there for eight years and no chemicals were used during the process.
Name
Historians believe that the word Oak comes from the Irish word "daur" or the Greek one "druns" which stand for “the tree”. The Sanskrit word Duir, meaning door, is more persuasive, as the oak was believed to be a sacred spiritual gateway.
History
In Gdansk area in northern Poland the black oak wood trunks found during archaeological surveys were dated to be as old as the 14th century.
In Russian Empire, you could be sentenced to death for having black oak furniture, as it was reserved for the royal family.
