Mahogany is a wood from the native American tree more popularly known as West Indian mahogany.  It has a generally straight grain and is usually free of voids and pockets. It has a reddish-brown color, which darkens over time, and displays a reddish sheen when polished.

The mahogany wood has excellent workability, and is very durable. Historically, the tree’s girth allowed for wide boards from traditional mahogany species. This gives the wood a smooth, even grain pattern, making it an excellent property for crafting fine furnishings and woodcraft.

Mahogany Credenza in its final polishing stages

Mahogany is also popular in boat construction as it resists wood rotting.  It is also often used for musical instruments, particularly the backs of acoustic guitars and drums shells because of its ability to produce a very deep, warm tone compared to other commonly used woods like Maple or Birch. – from Wikipedia