Complete chest.This little chest is one of three. It is a
quarter scale model of a Jacobean chest of drawers, to be used
as a jewelry box. The Jacobean style of woodworking used moldings
as decorative details applied to the surface of a simply joined
piece. The heavy ball feet are another aspect of this style.
The chest frame and back is made from Madrone. The end panels
are made from Honduras Rosewood, while the top and molding trim
is made from Nicaraguan Rosewood. The drawer parts, other than
the fronts, are Douglas Fir. The fronts are quilted Broad Leaf
Maple. The drawer pulls are lost wax cast brass, and the plates
are stamped brass. The drawers are dovetail construction. The
ends are frame and panel. The top drawers are half width, while
the other three are full width. The inside bottoms of the drawers
are felt lined.
I love the vibrant color mix in this piece, and feel it is one
of the better pieces I have made. Unfortunately, they were a commercial
failure. The jewelry stores that cater to the kind of client which
could afford such a piece, recommend that their customers not
use such a chest, but rather keep they piece in a bank safe deposit
box, for security reasons. I gave all three of these pieces to
each of my three step daughters, as they were married.
Complete chest.
Detail of one end.
Corner
and drawer construction.
