The gloss of mahogany

Behind mahogany’s alluring qualities of rich, dark colour and durability lies a hidden story of human and environmental exploitation. During the 1700s, trends for using this wood for furniture-making swept across Europe, but its popularity came at a price.

To meet growing demands, vast amounts were sourced from forests in countries colonised by the British in the West Indies. Trees were cut down in huge quantities using the forced labour of enslaved Africans, causing deforestation across Jamaica and neighbouring Caribbean islands.

Written by: Zofia Trafas White, Senior Curator of V&A East Museum
Published: May 2025

Sourcebook for Design