Olivewood Olivewood is a type of wood sourced from the olive tree (Olea europaea), which has been cultivated for its fruit and oil for thousands of years. The farming of olive trees probably first began somewhere in Asia Minor, perhaps as early as 12000 BC, and quickly spread to Greece and the wider Mediterranean. Historically, olivewood is expensive. Although plentiful, its availability for manufacturing is quite limited due to the fact most olive trees are cultivated as crops. Despite this, it is coveted because of its distinct grain patterns, durability and pleasant aroma, and used widely for the making of furniture, sculpture and utensils throughout the world. In Britain, olivewood, along with other exotic woods such as walnut and rosewood, began being used for high-end clock cases and furniture during the 1670s. Their use was part of a wider trend that marked a sea change in clock-case style, as their rich warm hues and intricate, graceful grain patterns were in stark contrast to the more sober presentation of the earlier ebony-veneered cases. For examples of sumptuously presented clocks that use olivewood in their cases, see the Olivewood Tompion made by Thomas Tompion around 1673 (exhibited on Clocktime), the Oyster-veneered Parquetry Longcase made by Henry Jones around 1673, and the Knibb Walnut Parquetry-Marquetry Longcase made by Joseph Knibb around 1675 (all three are exhibited on Clocktime).
