Historical anatomy of sacred statuary in Brazil: Wood anatomy and physical properties

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Abstract

Wood was a principal source material used in the making of sacred statuary in Brazil during the 16th and 19th centuries. Artisans used timber in the sacred carpentry based on the singular properties of the wood and the locally available forestry bioresources. The present study aimed to evaluate the wood species used in sacred statuary and to show how some wood properties relate to this carpentry. Based on original data and specialized literature, the results demonstrate the use of 17 preferred wood species, with Cedrela sp. (Meliaceae) as the most notable. This wood species presents low density, texture, and secondary metabolites that facilitate manual work and protect against xylophagous attack. Additionally, the sweet odor of this wood symbolizes sacred knowledge. Hence it can be concluded that cedar is a historically important wood for the making of sacred statuary in all Brazilian regions.

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