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FINE ART and FURNITURE

Margaret Cowling – Paintings

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Piero Pompeani – Original, finely crafted furniture and restored antiques

 

-Library Chair 1

Posted bymaggiecowlingMay 14, 2018May 14, 2018Posted inUncategorized

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I do like the way shifts in taste can shape past efforts, to suit the present. This table presents a snapshot of such "inspiration ". It can also be a dodgy way to profiteer. One century, c1765, you're standing around minding your own business in simple, rectangular, all mahogany form, the next, c1890s, you've been given an oval top with satinwood cross-banding and central shell motif in the neoclassical style! Not much happened in the 20th century but this restorer freshened up the top (lovely faded patina), repaired the drawer and other minor aspects in the 21st. Currently available through the website.
The Regency period card table top belonging to the base in the previous post. More work! Around the time it was made, c1815, a wide panel was made from solid timber; no manufactured board was available. The long boards were glued together and a strip glued cross-wise at each end to help keep it flat. It mostly worked but over time, shrinkage caused splitting due to a lack of freedom of movement. Hence the glued-in strips for stability. Then colour matched on the show wood side and felt on the inside. Available through the website.
Gate leg tables often develop twist in the rail. Beech is typically used, and whilst very tough, is not always stable in service, causing the legs to be out of plumb. This rail had the added bonus of legacy borer damage, so reusing it may have proven unsound. I can understand the two whopping screws to secure the leg! Effective, but not ideal, especially through the ebony strung, diamond inlay! A new rail was needed. Always good to have something to copy. I especially like the beehive form to the turning. See website for details.
The complications of a chair. Sometimes you have to start again, after everything has been thrown at it. A little more complex when it can't be taken apart fully. This one was all about unpicking that jumper!
I'm very fond of tambour doors. The illusion of a rigid material, seemingly flexible, disappearing out of sight, bending around corners. When considering what to do with the upper drawer of each chest, I wanted to diverge from the convention of a pop-up mirror and lidded compartments. Thought I would create tambour lidded side boxes with sliding jewellery trays and a central compartment with a sliding lid instead. Nothing removeable.
With further details on the website, this attractive Japanese cha-dansu, or tea-utensil chest from the late Meiji period, c1890s. Prized keyaki (Japanese elm) in the door panels, with kiri wood as the other main show wood, and carcase in sugi. A steel base frame has been made to facilitate a more practical height, but can be removed. The forged, warabite (bracken style) handles and other ironwork adds contrast and character to the patinated timbers. I never tire of Japanese tansu!

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  • Original furniture
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  • Antique furniture – sold
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  • Margaret – Paintings
  • Maggie – Paintings
  • Contact
  • Blog Posts
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