Experts Take You to the Show
Mahogany furniture is highly valuable. Learn how to identify and choose cost-effective options.
Look at the "Hard Indicators" and Pay Attention to Details.
Experts Count the Mahogany Furniture "Purchase"
In recent years, mahogany furniture has become a popular choice for those who value both function and collectibility. Every year, during the public opening day of the China-ASEAN Expo, many visitors come to buy their favorite pieces of mahogany furniture. But with so many options in such a short time, how can you identify and select high-quality, cost-effective mahogany furniture? On September 16th, experts from the Guangxi Redwood Furniture Association and reporters visited the exhibition hall to help buyers make informed choices.
Check the Materials and Craftsmanship
Mahogany furniture doesn’t refer to a specific type of wood but is a general term for rare hardwood furniture that has been popular since the Ming and Qing dynasties. The materials and craftsmanship are key indicators of quality. Professor Xu Feng, chief consultant of the Guangxi Redwood Furniture Association, visited the exhibition and noted that this year’s East Fair was dominated by red rosewood and rosewood furniture. He remarked that the overall quality of the mahogany furniture on display was above average.
Xu Feng explained that Southeast Asian countries have long been the main producers of redwoods, with Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar being particularly known for their high-quality logs. Currently, the price of red rosewood logs is around 35,000 yuan per ton, while rosewood fluctuates between 20,000 and 25,000 yuan per ton.
Consumers should consider the overall quality of the materials and craftsmanship when selecting mahogany furniture. Xu Feng pointed out that raw red rosewood has a distinct sour smell, which disappears once it’s finished. The color of red rosewood is reddish, with deep, visible grain patterns. In contrast, rosewood has a yellowish tone, with thicker and less dense grain lines.
Additionally, the craftsmanship of mahogany furniture is typically divided into two types: hand-carved and machine-carved. For the same design, hand-carved pieces are usually significantly more expensive, sometimes up to three times the price. However, if the carving is complex, machine-made items can sometimes be pricier than handcrafted ones.
Check Thickness and Other Details
How can you find mahogany furniture with better value for money? On the same day, Xu Feng provided an example of a set of ten rosewood sofas in Hall 14, priced at 140,000 yuan. After examining the piece closely, he felt the price was slightly high.
Xu Feng said that producing such a set would normally require about 1.5 tons of wood, costing nearly 40,000 yuan. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the color of the wood on the left and right ends of the furniture was darker than the top and bottom, creating an uneven appearance. Additionally, the coffee table and sofa panels were not made from single boards but from three separate pieces of wood.
Xu Feng advised buyers to pay attention to the “legs and feet†of the furniture. If the design is similar, a leg with a diameter of 8 cm should be significantly thinner than one with a diameter of 12 cm, which would use about a third more wood. The thickness of the furniture panels can also indicate the quality of the material used. Typically, the tabletops of coffee tables and chairs should be at least 1.5 cm thick, but some are only 1–1.2 cm thick. The way the wood is assembled also affects the price—for instance, a tabletop made from three pieces of wood will always be cheaper than one made from a single board.
Send for Testing if in Doubt
Xu Feng mentioned that since February 1, 2013, China has implemented the new “General Technical Conditions for Redwood Furniture,†requiring all sellers to provide “One Book, One Card, One Label.†This includes the product manual, quality express card, and certification. At the East Expo, if you purchase mahogany furniture from domestic companies or merchants, you can request these documents.
Xu Feng suggested that before making a purchase, consumers should ask for the species of wood used. If any issues arise, they can return the item and reference the receipt. If there are doubts about the authenticity of the furniture, testing services are available. Guangxi has several accredited testing agencies, such as the Guangxi University Forest Products Quality Testing Center and the Guangxi Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, which can issue legally recognized wood species identification certificates.
The testing process usually takes about seven working days and costs approximately 1,100 yuan per set. This provides an added layer of security for buyers looking to ensure the authenticity of their mahogany furniture purchases.
Related Reading: How to Decorate Your Home with Mahogany Furniture
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