Mahogany
(Entandrophragma cylindricum)
Beloved for its beauty, mahogany’s dark brown tone deepens with age into a warm glow.
An exotic hardwood species that grows naturally in tropical climates, Sapele Mahogany is prized for its captivating range of colours, which stretch from pinkish tones to deep reddish-browns. It is patterned with a flawlessly straight, smooth, and dark grain – a common feature of woods that grow in forests where the seasons do not change.
Beyond its rich palette, Sapele Mahogany boasts an unusual characteristic most commonly seen in gemstones: it exhibits chatoyancy. As time passes, and the wood darkens and intensifies into an even richer tone, this optical effect – also referred to as ‘cat’s eye’ – sees the wood shimmer and shift when viewed from different angles. As well as its mesmerizing appearance, mahogany possesses great strength and durability. It is a favourite amongst craftspeople for its ability to take intricate carving and the ease with which it can be worked on by hand.
A newfound appreciation for dark wood
Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in darker woods. As people become more open to mixing different wood types within their homes, this has translated into increased demand for mahogany pieces.
When Vilhelm Lauritzen first debuted the Monarch Chair, he used mahogany for the dynamism it brings to the design. Now, Carl Hansen & Søn is proud to reintroduce the chair in the same elegant mahogany as Lauritzen intended, but in FSCTM-certified wood.
Information about mahogany
Qualities in furniture production
The mahogany wood is known for its high strength, durability and beautiful, dark colour that does not fade over time.
Origin
Sapele mahogany is an exotic wood species that grows naturally in tropical climates.
Carl Hansen & Søn only uses FSC-certified (FSC-C135991) sapele mahogany from responsible partners.
Growth & size
Sapele mahogany can grow up to 60 metres in height and 2 metres in diameter.
The tree is relatively fast growing and takes 25 years to fully mature.
Hardness
Sapele mahogany is a hardwood species.
The weight of the wood may vary, but the mean weight is approximately 630 kg/m³.
Appearance
At Carl Hansen & Søn, we only use the heartwood of sapele mahogany.
Sapele mahogany has a deep reddish-brown colour in an untreated condition.
The grain is straight, smooth and dark, which is typical for tropical woods that grow in forests where the seasons do not change. The pores are scattered, numerous and medium fine, and the colour is deep and uniform.
Surface treatment
At Carl Hansen & Søn, we surface-treat sapele mahogany with lacquer and oil.
Surface-treating the wood ensures a beautiful surface, additional durability and easy cleaning.
The wood retains its dark colour and therefore patinates very little.
Highly resistant to weather and water damage, teak unites premium quality with a polished appearance.