by Richard McCormick
Recent personal publications: "Koa-Wood of Royalty" article in American Period Furniture Journal, vol,23, 2023 "From The Bench" article published in Fine Woodworking magazine, No.299, Dec. 2022 Newport Secretary photo published in "gallery section" Fine Woodworking magazine, No.304, 2023 Woodworker West magazine article "profile", Sept,-Oct., 2019 Description: As a woodworker for over 50 years I have always been a student of American Chippendale furniture. Early this past winter I perused Chippendale's "Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director" book, and was reminded that most of the early American furniture makers in the colonies were influenced by Chippendale's designs. I was especially drawn to certain design elements pictured in the book including Marlboro legs with pierced corner spandrels (fret corner brackets) below frieze fretwork. These elements influenced my personal design for this cabinet made of privately sourced Walnut. Fluted corner columns have been included in several of my furniture pieces, but I instead decided to carve floral columns in this piece inspired by some of the finer lowboy dressing tables and high chests of 18th century American Chippendale designs. The double doors showcase two solid book-matched highly figured walnut panels, wood that I had stashed away many years ago waiting to be used for something special. Finish: several coats mixed shellac topped with coats of rubbed varnish Dimensions: 67" T, x 37" W, x 14 1/2"D