Rosebud Veneer
Fine Veneer & Plywood
Sapele Pomelle

Sapele Pomelle

Sapele Pomelle Veneer from Rosebud Veneer and Plywood This extraordinary architectural veneer panel showcases the rare and highly coveted pomelle figure of African Sapele, displaying a mesmerizing three-dimensional quilted or pommele pattern across its entire face. The warm, copper-toned surface ranges from soft apricot to rich amber-bronze, with tightly interlocked figure creating a dense, undulating texture that appears almost fluid under shifting light. The surface exhibits the characteristic "blister" or "pommel" figuring — small, rounded, overlapping cells of iridescent grain that seem to bubble and ripple across the face of the panel in an organic, almost painterly composition. The chatoyance of this Sapele Pomelle is immediately apparent even in flat photography, suggesting a depth and luminosity that becomes truly spectacular when finished and installed in an architectural setting. The figure runs consistently from edge to edge with remarkable density, indicating an exceptional grade of raw material carefully selected and processed by skilled craftsmen. The warm terracotta and golden-peach coloration places this veneer firmly in the category of statement-making materials, equally suited to residential luxury interiors and high-end commercial hospitality or corporate environments. At Rosebud Veneer and Plywood in Louisville, Kentucky, our thirty years of architectural veneer expertise means we source and process Sapele Pomelle to the most exacting standards in the industry. This material performs beautifully on custom cabinetry, feature walls, elevator cabs, conference room paneling, and bespoke furniture applications where a singular, conversation-starting surface is the design objective. Contact our team to request samples and discuss your project requirements.

UsesVeneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small wooden specialty items.
SourcesTropical Africa
Meta TitleSapele Pomelle Wood Veneer | Rosebud Veneer
Sheet Size4x10 sheet
Other NamesSapelli, Sapeli
WorkabilitySapele can be troublesome to work in some machining operations, (i.e., planing, routing, etc.), resulting in tearout due to its interlocked grain. It will also react when put into direct contact with iron, becoming discolored and stained. Sapele has a slight blunting effect on cutters, but it turns, glues, and finishes well.
AvailabilityShould be moderately priced for regular plainsawn or quartersawn lumber, though figured lumber and veneer can be extremely expensive, particularly pommele or quilted Sapele.
Special NotePommele (French for dappled) is all about the bubble size. We select logs with tight, uniform clusters.
Grain TextureDark red with ribbon stripe figure and curl. Grain is interlocked, and sometimes wavy. Fine uniform texture and good natural luster.
CharacteristicsHeartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Besides the common ribbon pattern seen on quartersawn boards, Sapele is also known for a wide variety of other figured grain patterns, such as: pommele, quilted, mottled, wavy, beeswing, and fiddleback.
Scientific NameEntandrophragma cylindricum
Price DescriptionLight orange to dark brick red, tight blister figure that jumps off the surface
Price Raw Wood Veneer4.5
Price Two Ply Wood Veneer8.25