Mahogany Is Back!

During the period when the market for antique ‘brown furniture’ was in the doldrums, there was one wood which fell particularly out of fashion: mahogany, writes Henry Hammond. 

Perhaps because of its darker tone, or maybe because of sustainability concerns (although as has been often stated, buying existing antique pieces is about as green a way to furnish your house as you can get), mahogany furniture was amongst the first to go out of fashion, and remained so even as pieces made from other woods such as oak, walnut and teak started to be in demand again.

The good news, however, is that buyers are once again turning to mahogany.  Furniture made from the wood is not only selling at auction, but fetching good prices as well.

It’s not hard to see the appeal. Mahogany furniture offers a rich colour, durability and a timeless elegance.  A tropical hardwood mainly sourced from central and south America and the Caribbean, it was first used to make furniture in the 18^th century, prized for its fine grain and resistance to warping.  The long and wide tree trunks lent themselves well to large pieces, with an average trunk girth of between one and two metres.

By the beginning of the 19^th century it had displaced oak and walnut as the preferred wood for high-end furniture.  This was partly because walnut, the most commonly used wood in the 17^th century, was running out; the French actually banned its export at one stage.

The wood’s tight grain allowed for intricate carving and detailing, ideal for the intricate designs created by makers such as Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite.

One of the main appealing characteristics of mahogany is its deep, warn hue, ranging from reddish-brown to a darker, almost burgundy tone, especially as it ages.  Pieces made by top makers were not only beautiful but robust and long-lasting: even after centuries drawers still glide, and chairs remain stable.

Ownership of mahogany furniture was a status symbol; it was a sign of wealth and sophistication.  Although it fell out of fashion for a time, this feeling of quality and opulence never really went away.

At the end of the 20^th century, legitimate concerns about the sustainability of new mahogany furniture were raised.  Unscrupulous loggers were harvesting the wood without thought of replacing it, leading to deforestation.  These concerns remain, which is why turning to antique furniture rather than buying new is a sustainable choice, as well as an aesthetic one.

Caring for antique mahogany furniture requires attention and respect for its age.  It needs to be protected from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures and humidity, and needs occasional polishing.  But the rewards of such efforts are furniture which will remain both functional and beautiful for many years.

This timeless appeal is perhaps the reason behind mahogany’s return to favour in the saleroom.  Over the past year or two, we have noticed a steady increase in both demand and prices paid, and this has accelerated in the past 12 months.  There is no denying it – mahogany is back!