Mahogany and sapele are both known for reddish-brown tones. At MORI KOUGEI, “Mahogany” means African mahogany, while “Mahogany Burl” is our sales name for figured sapele. Similar product names can describe different woods, so understanding both the name and the grain helps you make an informed choice.
The photographs are examples of the color and grain associated with each wood or figure. Every piece of natural wood is different; the sheet you receive will not have exactly the same color or grain as the photographs.
Names at a glance
- Mahogany
- At MORI KOUGEI: African mahogany / Khaya spp. Kew Khaya
- Sapele
- Sapele／Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague Kew Entandrophragma cylindricum
- Mahogany Burl
- Our sales name for sapele with tama-moku figure, commonly described in our catalog as sapele burl.
- Family and native range
- Both belong to Meliaceae and occur in tropical Africa. Kew Khaya ／ Kew Entandrophragma cylindricum
Similar names, different woods
The timber name mahogany can refer to Swietenia species or to African mahogany in the genus Khaya, among other uses. MORI KOUGEI’s “Mahogany” is African mahogany. Sapele belongs to the same family, Meliaceae, but is a different tree in the genus Entandrophragma. Kew Khaya ／ Kew Entandrophragma cylindricum ／ USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Mahogany (p. 1–25)
“Mahogany Burl” is our sales name for figured sapele, not simply a different pattern of our regular Mahogany material. The three photographs illustrate grain found in these woods; they do not show the exact color or pattern of the sheet you will receive.
Understanding color and ribbon grain
African mahogany heartwood ranges from pale pink to deep reddish brown. Sapele heartwood is also reddish brown and may have purplish-brown tones in darker pieces. Individual variation and overlapping color ranges mean that these woods cannot be distinguished reliably by the colors in the photographs alone. USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Mahogany (p. 1–25) ／ USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Sapele (p. 1–31)
Sapele is known for narrow, relatively regular bands on a quarter-cut surface. These arise from interlocked grain, and ribbon-like light and dark areas can be seen in the example photograph. Band width and intensity are not fixed, however, and African mahogany can also have interlocked grain. Read the material description and sales name as well as looking at the grain. USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Mahogany (p. 1–25) ／ USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Sapele (p. 1–31)
The movement of tama-moku figure
Figured sapele sold as Mahogany Burl shows rounded, irregular light and dark areas rather than long stripes. The photograph is one example. Tama-moku describes the appearance of the figure here: its shape, size, and distribution vary with every piece. It is an option when you want variation across a surface rather than a regular linear rhythm.
Choosing an A4 sheet for your project
Both woods are used for furniture, cabinetry, and veneer. When choosing an A4 sheet, consider not only the wood’s general qualities but how its pattern will work in the intended place. A broad surface such as a box lid and a narrow decorative strip may call for different kinds of grain. USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Mahogany (p. 1–25) ／ USDA Wood Handbook, Chapter 1: Sapele (p. 1–31)
All three A4 sheets measure 210 × 297 mm and are approximately 0.25 mm thick. Use the photographs as references for grain characteristics, then choose the material and figure to suit your surface area and project. See each product page for specifications and current options. MORI KOUGEI A4 Mahogany Veneer ／ MORI KOUGEI A4 Sapele Veneer ／ MORI KOUGEI A4 Mahogany Burl Veneer
Explore the veneer sheets
- View A4 African Mahogany (sold as Mahogany)
- View A4 Sapele Veneer
- View A4 Figured Sapele (sold as Mahogany Burl)
This article draws on publicly available sources from Japan and abroad, with AI used to support research and organization.