French Empire Mahogany Semainier, c.1820
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Mahogany - Mahogany is a dense, close grained red-coloured timber from the West Indies and Central America. It was first imported into Europe in the the early 18th century and its use continued through the 19th century. It was popular for furniture making because of its strength, the wide boards available, the distinctive grain on some boards, termed flame mahogany and the rich warm colour of the timber when it was polished.. The "flame" was produced where a limb grew out from the trunk of the tree, and this timber was usually sliced into veneers for feature panels on doors, backs and cornices.
Some terms used to describe mahogany relate to the country from which it originally came, such as "Cuban" mahogany, "Honduras" mahogany etc. However unless the wood has been tested the names assigned are more a selling feature, rather than a true indication of the timber's origin.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
Good 18th century Dutch secretaire chest, of rectangular form, set with five drawers, one drawer opening to reveal secretaire and fitted interior, all beautifully inlaid with scrolled flowers, urns and shell motifs, on four block feet, 150 cm x 100 cm x 48
A 19th century Tasmanian huon pine chest, the frieze with a shaped drawer, below a deep drawer with applied carving, flanked by small drawers, above three graduated drawers, flanked by carved corbels. 141 cm high, 118 cm wide, 54 cm deep.
A 19th century Dutch walnut and marquetry four drawer commode, 99 x 93 x 43 cm
Chest on chest late Victorian, dark stain flame mahogany, seven drawers, on bun feet, with bone escutcheons, height 167 cm, length 102 cm, depth 50 cm