During Rococo, which wood replaced walnut as the favored material?

• A. Walnut
• B. Maple
• C. Mahogany
• D. Cherry

Answer: (C)

During Rococo, furniture sought lighter, more refined surfaces and delicate curvilinear forms. Mahogany became the favored wood because its stable, even grain and warm reddish tone take on soft, luminous finishes that suit the period’s light palettes and ornate surfaces. It carves and veneers well, allowing the intricate curves and marquetry that define Rococo decoration, while also resisting warping and wear in frequently used pieces. The rise of colonial trade brought slow-growing mahogany into European workshops, giving makers a material that met both the aesthetic ideals and practical needs of Rococo design. Walnut, while valued earlier, didn’t align with the era’s preferred color and finish, making way for mahogany as the dominant choice.