Mahogany Myths

Where did the fashion for mahogany come from and why furniture from this kind of wood costs a lot of money. And anyway, is it worth it to overpay for such interior items. Consider this issue in more detail and deal with the myth that has developed around this phenomenon.

Modern masters working with mahogany know very well where the fashion for this furniture came from, as well as why it is so expensive and how it is justified. Let's start with the historical background.

The founder of the fashion trend for mahogany furniture was the court master Louis XV, his name was Jean-Henri Riesener. From this moment, the craftsmen working with this type of wood, began to be called "cabinet makers."

Initially, mahogany was mined in Africa and delivered to Europe by ship. From this was the cost of the resource. Gradually, the popularity of mahogany grew and its scope, too. It has increasingly been used in the interior decoration of ships, trains, palaces and personal offices of noble people.

Although the delivery of wood from African countries was expensive, but the final cost was still influenced by popularity. Over time, other varieties of wood with a noble wine color were discovered, but their extraction and delivery cost much less.

So why is mahogany these days worth a lot of money? If we conduct a comparative analysis of historical and practical issues, we can conclude that the price is artificially high. And it justifies all this very simply - popularity and prevalence among wealthy people.

In fact, red wood is a very mediocre material. According to its characteristics, it is inferior to many common varieties of trees. Mostly, furniture is made from hardwood, and mahogany serves only for external cladding.

To date, there are about three hundred varieties of red wood. And the unreasonably high price for furniture made from them is explained only by a long-standing reputation. Even the phrase “master cabinetmaker” sounds noble, not like a carpenter. That's exactly what knowledgeable people earn.

The only plus of mahogany is only the noble beauty and pleasant appearance. But do not overpay for it too much, be prudent and always pay attention to quality.