Sandalwood isn't just for incense
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362906)
Rockingham, Australia
July 14, 2025 1:39am CST
I wrote earlier about the sandalwood cutters. The whole tree was pulled out of the ground as the roots were quite substantial and could be used in processing.
The sandalwood was carried on drays pulled by either horses, donkeys or camels. One man could cope with six drays. Once the drays were loaded and started, the horses would plod down the tracks until stopped by a command from the driver.
The photo was taken in the Cunderdin Museum and shows an eggcup and fan made from sandalwood with a close-up to show the intricate detail of the fan.
17 people like this
17 responses
@pitsipeahie (5423)
•
14 Jul
I actually have that fan! I just don’t know where it is now — probably stashed somewhere inside the cabinet. I hope I can post a photo once I find it.
It smelled so good — a rich, calming sandalwood scent that instantly filled the air.
But you really had to be careful with it. The strings that held the fan together were quite delicate. If you opened it too roughly, they could snap easily. Such a waste when that happens.
3 people like this
@pitsipeahie (5423)
•
15 Jul
@JudyEv True! Sandalwood smells so good—like calm and luxury in one. I’ve had sandalwood soaps before. Some I used for bathing, but others I just kept in my clothes cabinet. They made everything smell amazing—fresh, clean, and kind of fancy. Even just opening the cabinet felt nice.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17665)
• Raurkela, India
14 Jul
In India sandal wood is very much on demand and therefore very expensive. We make sandal wood articles and use sandal wood paste in temples and in houses too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (362906)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jul
@aninditasen I didn't know there were different colours.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17665)
• Raurkela, India
15 Jul
@JudyEv Red sandal wood is exported from Odisha and the white ones from Tamil Nadu.
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@snowy22315 (196001)
• United States
14 Jul
They are beautiful, and probably scented nicely. I don't really care for the sandalwood fragrance, but if I had a fan like that, I would use it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (362906)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jul
On our hot summer days, I often wish I knew where my fan was.
@RasmaSandra (88902)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jul
I just love the scent of sandlewood,
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (15810)
• Torrington, Connecticut
14 Jul
I love the craftsmanship and detail
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (362906)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jul
The sandalwood here has just about been cleaned right out. There is very little natural sandalwood left now.
@arunima25 (92311)
• Bangalore, India
14 Jul
That's one beautiful fan with such intricate designs. And I am sure that it would fill the air with the divine aroma of sandalwood. The southern states in India are famous for sandalwood trees. Now, sandalwood cutting is banned owing to the rampant smuggling of the wood. But for sure, some bit of smuggling still goes on despite all laws in place.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (92311)
• Bangalore, India
17 Jul
@JudyEv Here too sandalwood trees started decimating and government had to ban it.
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@Beestring (15781)
• Hong Kong
14 Jul
I own one of this type of fan. I bought it in Japan.
1 person likes this
