by Bob Lang
This is a pretty close reproduction of a linen press originally made in the Byrdcliffe colony in Woodstock, New York in 1904. Plans for this and other Byrdcliffe pieces are in my book "Shop Drawings for Byrdcliffe Furniture" available from my website https://readwatchdo.com. I built this in 2006 and it was featured on the cover of Popular Woodworking magazine in the April 2006 issue. Byrdcliffe furniture is extremely rare but it holds an important place in the American Arts & Crafts period of the early 20th century. Especially important is the fact that almost all of the furniture produced was designed by two young women, Zuma Steele and Edna Walker. This press was designed by Walker and the original is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The carved door panels depict the leaves of the sassafras tree and are colored with watercolors, and the green finish was typical of some of the pieces produced at the colony. The first and last photos were taken in the spring before this piece was shipped to a new owner who lives in Woodstock. The other photos were taken while the piece was being made and shortly after. Like the original, the green color is fading and in another 80 years or so it should be close to the color of the example in the Met.