The Georgian and Regency period (1714-1837) was the time of the British cabinet designers: Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite and the Adam Brothers. Perhaps the most famous of all was Thomas Chippendale, who had a strong preference for mahogany. Mahogany was use from the early 18th Century, and was prized for its girth, strength and ability to take a high polish. Mahogany had many benefits over walnut. It was ideal for deep carving and could, amongst other things, be fretted, laminated, used as a veneer or as a vast solid piece of unbroken polished surface.