Wood obtained from tectona grandis from the East Indies or from other species of tectona grown in Africa. Yellowish brown in color, it is very hard and resistant to deterioration. In the East it was used to replace oak, while initially in the West it was used for furnishings and finishing of ships. With the advent of the modern northern European style, in which this wood is almost essential, teak has become a characteristic of design furniture since the 1940s.