Sunday, April 27, 2014

Terra Nova Asian Furniture's WOOD YOU KNOW Series: Mahogany

Mahogany is a sort of magic word when it comes to furniture. Many people know it is a desirable wood, but they don’t know much about it. They simply want to be able to say of a beautiful piece of furniture, “Yes, it’s made of mahogany.”

True mahogany comes from a tree species that is indigenous to the Americas, particularly from Central and South America, as well as the West Indies (native to southern Florida and the Caribbean). The straight-grained, reddish-brown wood is valued for its durability, color, and beauty. It is so prized, in fact, that it has been over-harvested and the three “true mahogany” species have been placed on the Endangered Species lists. These conditions make its availability for new furniture expensive, as supplies are limited and monitored.

The wood itself has few pockets and voids in it, giving it great durability. Because the trees achieve a great girth, it was possible to get wide boards from the true mahogany species. That made the wood very appealing to cabinet makers. The wood also resists rot, which makes it appealing for use in boats and outdoor furniture.

Asian Black Mahogany Furniture - Desk
Curved, Hand-Rubbed, Black Mahogany Desk


Because of the rarity and expense of the true mahoganies, woodworkers have turned to other woods that have some, though not all, of the same qualities as mahogany. They are often qualified with descriptive terms, which helps indicate their nature. There are two well known types that are called “African mahogany”: Khaya and Sapele.  Khaya is a beautiful wood in its own right. It is usually sawn in such a way that it shows a distinctive ribbony look, leading it to sometimes being called “Ribbon-Striped African Mahogany.” The grain of Sapele also has a ribbony appearance to it, and a finer texture than true mahogany, but it a good substitute. It is however, more prone to tear-out than the true mahoganies.

Those in the market for Asian mahogany furniture look for pieces made of what is called “Philippine mahogany.” This wood is actually called Lauan, and it is inexpensive and plentiful. It comes in a variety of colors, and the redder ones are heavier and more resistant to rot than the lighter colored ones.  The thing to be wary about this type is that it is a softer and lighter weight wood than the true mahoganies. It can be easily dented with a fingernail, and it tends to splinter, thanks to its coarser texture.


There can be great satisfaction in having a piece of mahogany furniture, particularly if it is indeed a “true mahogany” wood. Knowing where the piece came from can be a help in verifying  the nature of the wood. The durability of the true mahoganies certainly allows for such a piece to be passed down and enjoyed over many generations.

If you are in the market for a beautiful piece of vintage, contemporary, or custom mahogany furniture, visit Terra Nova Los Angeles Furniture at http://www.terranovadesigns.com.

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