18th century inspired secretary desk
This piece is a mutt when it comes right down to it. I used elements I saw from 18th century desks made in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the Newport area. Reproduction purists will possibly scorn me for doing some of the things I did. For instance, my wife found the drawer pulls in “the Old Hardware store” in Halstead Kansas. The pulls are from the Victorian era, she liked them “what can I say”. Usually Chippendale Pulls & Escutcheons are on desks of this era.
I was very fortunate in finding very vibrant tiger / fiddle back maple for this project. I played with many color combinations. It came down to a honey maple and mission oak water based dye mix, topped with amber shellac. All the brass came from Horton Brass. Secondary wood: (drawer runners are of poplar, Drawers are of walnut with cedar bottoms.
http://oldhardwarestore.halsteadkansas.com/
http://www.horton-brasses.com/store/handlespulls/drawerpulls/chippendale/chippendale1
18th century inspired secretary desk (Tiger Maple)
The top of the desk has been sitting in the corner of my shop half finished for quite sometime. Other work keeps it from completion. There are also several things I am not happy with yet.
I will add pics as it comes along.
“Woodworking is a passion not a hobby”
Dear Mr. Crabtree, I brought my mother into your work where I met you. Your work is stunning. I have a solo art show opening this Friday, May 25, 2012 at Watermark Books & Cafe’ at Douglas & Oliver. work is on Watermark.com website. Noel Linder
Thanks so much for the compliment. I am sorry I missed your exhibit, it was too late by the time I read my mail. Please e-mail me the next time you have a showing. If you have a website I would be happy to post it here for you.
Best regards, Mark C.
Dear Mr. Crabtree, your work reminds me of the cabinetry in the Colonel John Ashley (1700’s era) house in Sheffield , Mass or Canaan, or Ashley Falls, Connecticut. (they are close together) The built-in dining room library corner shell cabinet in the house, you would enjoy. Maybe it is online, I don’t know. Noel Linder
Thank you for such a nice compliment Noel.