From the early nineteenth century, mahogany, originating from the Caribbean, became very popular in Europe for making luxury furniture because of its distinctive color and sheen. Mahogany is easy to work with. The long legs of the stand in the De Witte Zwaan collection end in a slight arc at the top, forming a semicircle. Below this circle, ornate Art Nouveau carvings featuring irises can be seen, echoed in the horizontal slat connecting the bottom of the legs. Such luxury stands were used to display something beautiful in the salon: a painting, a print, or a precious book.