An example...

Marvellous

Yonak

Brilliant, Clint ! The wood grain itself is something to behold.

It looks solidly joined and you didn't miss a design detail. The finish sparkles.

Congratulations on a well-thought-out and executed museum quality piece of furniture. How long have you been working on it ?

Re: Marvellous

Clint Searl

That piece exceeds my level of achievement by orders of magnitude. I showed it to suggest comparing it with current stuff coming from factories, studios, or individual makers.

This raised a thought

Clementine

This piece defies words of description. Thanks for sharing the pictures. It raised a thought: In my lifetime if I could build that "one piece," what would it be? I did a Shaker chest of drawers a few years ago with this thought in mind, and it turned out "OK," but maybe that "one piece" is still to be done.

Curious

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

1. I don't recognize what it is used for- liquor storage?

2. The bun feet, a common feature in 1700, hold it up a century later. I like bun feet.

3. Why this piece? You had thousands of Period pieces to choose from. What was it about this one that appealed? (I would like to know the finish details. It is especially appealing)

4. Any information on where it was made and by whom? I would like to know how that deep cove was done.

Re: Curious

Clint Searl

Seller's description: "Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does not often see; it swirls and undulates across the surface drawing the eye along in a mesmerizing dance. And that’s just the beginning! A geometric inlay frames the door and each drawer. Inside is equally as impressive with its arrangement drawers and cupboards, and it's use of contrasting veneer and inlays."

It's of Austro-Hungarian origin 1870

I thought it was an apt representation of 19th century production and taste, with the exotic veneer, inlay, carving, and overall design. I think that era was the highpoint of furniture creations, combining machinery and skilled handwork over many different styles as opposed to stuff today from everywhere which looks more like the output of a CAD/CAM-CNC 101 course following the fad in vogue.

Available for about $20,000