This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Friday, August 9, 2019, marks a significant day for those seeking authentic mahogany furniture. With the growing demand for this prized wood, buyers are often misled into purchasing counterfeit versions.
Mahogany wood has been used for centuries due to its exceptional sturdiness and subtle sophistication. However, with the increasing demand, unscrupulous furniture makers have resorted to staining wood with mahogany paint, deceiving buyers who are unaware of the real thing.
Rupesh Shah, a director at Ashut Engineering, a company based in Nairobi, shed light on the issue. 'Unscrupulous furniture makers buy wood and stain it with mahogany paint. People who do not know how real mahogany looks like can buy something that is not mahogany,' he said.
Authentic mahogany furniture begins with the natural ageing of the wood. Good wood must be aged for 18 months before it is used. This process enhances the wood's strength and grain patterns.
When selecting a piece of furniture, consumers often react to two primary factors: the architecture and the colour patterns. Workmanship is also crucial, as it determines whether an artisan cuts against the grain or along the grain. A cut can either preserve or destroy the grains.
Some carpenters use wet mahogany wood, which can lead to the piece of furniture cracking or bending. To avoid this, Rupesh uses screws instead of nails when making the frame of his sofa sets.
At his workshop in Nairobi's Industrial Area, Rupesh educates consumers on different woods and emphasizes the importance of using webbing instead of rubber tyres on the frame. He mainly uses fabric on seats, which he imports from India, Spain, Belgium, the UK, and Italy.
When it comes to taking care of mahogany wood, Rupesh advises against placing hot items directly on it and using a coaster or table mat. He also recommends avoiding scratches and using a soft cloth to wipe away stains.
