sappan

Sappan, or sappanwood, refers to the wood of the leguminous tree Caesalpinia sappan. The tree is a small to medium-sized tropical species valued for its heartwood, which ranges from pale pinkish brown to deep reddish. The wood contains brazilin, a red pigment that can be extracted to produce a natural dye for textiles. When exposed to air, brazilin oxidizes to brazilein, a deeper red-orange pigment.

In dyeing practice, sappanwood dye is used to color silk, wool, and cotton. The dye is typically prepared by boiling or soaking the wood chips to extract the pigment, and it is often used with mordants such as tannins or metallic salts to improve color fastness and alter shade. Sappan dyes have been employed for centuries in various parts of Asia and surrounding regions, contributing warm red tones to natural-dyed fabrics.

Beyond its use as a dye, sappanwood has traditional applications in some cultures and may be used for woodworking or carving. Due to concerns about overharvesting in certain areas, sustainable sourcing and responsible collection practices are encouraged when obtaining sappanwood for dyeing or craft purposes.

Today, sappanwood remains of interest to natural-dye practitioners and historians as a historic source of red colorant. Its compounds, notably brazilin and brazilein, are part of the broader tradition of plant-based pigments used in textile arts and crafts.