Thread: African mahogany

Sheddie, are you sure you want African Mahogany, for an antique? I have only ever seen African Mahogany used in furniture that immigrants brought with them from Africa, most antique furniture is any of the 3 genuine Mahogany's from Central and South America.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by Old Croc

Sheddie, are you sure you want African Mahogany, for an antique? I have only ever seen African Mahogany used in furniture that immigrants brought with them from Africa, most antique furniture is any of the 3 genuine Mahogany's from Central and South America.
Rgds,
Crocy.

hey Crocy, I’m no expert but I’ve sanded the top back and compared the wood with a real wood sample in a book I just sold called “What Timber is That”. The wood that matched my top was African Mahogany. I also compared my wood with the photo on the Mathews Timber web site. My wood is medium weight and a slightly reddish chocolate brown colour with a distinct grain. I believe the table is well over a century old possibly late 19th Century. It has heavy solid brass cup castors. The legs are two piece connected. The turned leg (same wood as the top) is joined to the skirt corner blocks with wooden screws about 8” x 1”. It could be this style of leg to enable easy transport. It’s had a hard life and the skirts are poorly dressed and stained Blackwood which I’ve put aside for my bbq.
As I say, I’m no expert but maybe my description will someone to identify it if not African Mahogany
I’ll post some pics taken in daylight tomorrow..
Cheers

I've got a bit of timber that has "African Mahogany" written on it. Probably not for sale, but I can photograph etc if that would help you with wood identification? No idea on value, but IIRC there was the remains of a price scrawled on it (previous owner hid prices from the wife

19BEC7BE-195E-4EFF-8105-AB67035E0BAB.jpgLeft side bare sanded 180#. Right side 180# and one coat of gloss Wipe on poly. Not fine sanded. Photo taken indoors in direct sunlight no flash.

Yes Bro. Photo please.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

19BEC7BE-195E-4EFF-8105-AB67035E0BAB.jpgLeft side bare sanded 180#. Right side 180# and one coat of gloss Wipe on poly. Not fine sanded. Photo taken indoors in direct sunlight no flash.

That doesn’t look anything like any of the Khaya that I have. I think Sapelle is another “African Mahogany “ I don’t have any of that to compare.

My piece is about 5ft tall, a couple of inches thick (for scale). Photos a full profile, close up, and a bit of water and rub. Surface looks finished with a rough sand.
HTH, Simon


IMG_1690.jpgIMG_1691.jpgIMG_1692.jpg

4348391B-64DA-4797-8BA8-AC1335414CF6.pngSapele from Mathews Timber site

Entandrophragma Cylindricum

Sometimes known as Sapele mahogany, it is widely used as a substitute for genuine mahoganies. Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown but will darken with age.
I’m wondering if the colour of mine is a function of its age - 100 plus years and so it could be Sapele..


Sometimes known as Sapele mahogany, it is widely used as a substitute for genuine mahoganies. Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown but will darken with age.