Below is a little history on this particular rare piece and Cuban Mahogany in general-
Native to the Caribbean, Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) was discovered on Columbus’s first voyage when he landed on the Island of Hispaniola. Also known as Santo Domingo Mahogany, it is also been introduced in Florida, Hawaii and other South Sea Islands. It has not been commercially exported since the early 20th century due to the over logging and high demand and was one of the first woods to be listed on CITES (endangered plant and animal life list). It is highly prized for the restoration of high end antique furniture and accessories.
Today, all species of Swietenia grown in their native locations are listed by CITES, and are therefore protected. Both Swietenia mahagoni, and Swietenia macrophylla were introduced into several Asian countries at the time of the restrictions imposed on American mahogany in the late 1990s and both are now successfully grown and harvested in those plantations. The world's supply of genuine mahogany today comes from these Asian plantations, most notably from India, Fiji and Indonesia.
Tropical Exotic Hardwoods was able to obtain two containers of Cuban Mahogany logs from the Dominican Republic in the late 1980’s after hurricane Hugo devastated the Caribbean. The naturally felled logs were shipped to North Carolina where they were sawn and dried. Part of this shipment was sold off for restoration projects in The White House, New York City Hall, and the America’s Cup “J” Class yacht “Endeavor”.
Robert Stevenson of the San Diego Fine Woodworkers invested into the shipment and has produced many replications of famous antique furniture including one piece featured on the back cover of Fine Woodworking. Many expert restorers of furniture in the USA consider the inventory that Tropical Exotic Hardwoods has to be the finest quality material available.
This large slab (8/4 x 23-24” x 137”) has been featured in many woodworking articles and is one of the largest known pieces of true Cuban Mahogany. A standing offer of $10,000 for the board exists.
All Cuban Mahogany in inventory is owned by Tropical Exotic Hardwoods owner Mitch Talcove and is not for sale.
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