George III Cuban Mahogany Gateleg Table On Reverse Chamfered & Edge Beaded Legs, Late 18th Century

George III Cuban Mahogany Gateleg Table On Reverse Chamfered & edge Beaded Legs, Late 18th Century.

Lovely colour & patination consistent with age. Some historic restoration. surprisingly heavy due to being made with a thick cuban mahogany top.

Cuban mahogany was first used for furniture in the early 18th Century and was much sought after because of its very attractive colour, grain patterns and density. But as cuban mahogany became harder to get, it was gradually replaced with Honduras mahogany during the 19th century. Although not as dense and heavy as Cuban Mahogany it was still very popular because its colour and grain were considered superior to mahogany wood from elsewhere in the world. But eventually supplies of Honduras mahogany started to run out in the 20th Century and the wood that is currently sold as mahogany is really not a patch on Cuban or Honduras Mahogany in terms of colour, grain or density. Which is why antique mahogany furniture looks so different modern mahogany furniture.