Last time I posted I had glued down the boxes bodies with the inside already french polished
I worked on gluing the marquetry panels to the trimmed to size lid
My favorite moment is when you see it glued down right way up for the first time, it appears slowly while you remove the paper
This glueing of the marquetry on both side had to be precise has they had to be perfectly centered as well as the right way up as when you open the box
the owner will appreciate to get the inside bird the right way up.
Patrick and I were slightly stress over that eventuality. But nothing of the sort.
The other part of last weeks work was to create the hidden tray from blood-wood
Made to fit each box and numbered, with a the space in the back for the mechanism that Patrick and I decided on to release it. More on it in couple weeks.
There is also a recess to receive a gilt leather to make a real nice writing surface
Another part that I had to prepare was the base on which the tray will slide and the mechanism will be fixed. It is also a good way to old the small ebony bid we wanted as a base for the boxes
Last but not least was the preparation of all the banding for the marquetry.
Like the center oval it will be composed of 2 white bone and one ebony purflings
This means a bunch of ebony string inlay needs to be cut
As wells as ebony bands
To combine them. Each bone purflings has to be butted cleanly to the next one to hide as well as possible the joints on this super white material. Here is only the banding for the small sides
Here is to give an idea of the effect
Next time, all the banding will be glued and we will have the real effect with everything in place ready for installation of hardware and mechanism as well as finish.
Thank you for following!
-- Patrice lejeune
9 comments so far
shipwright
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8453 posts in 3405 days
#1 posted 05-23-2015 01:30 AM
These are going to be even finer than the last set and they were perfect.
So, so elegant.
I know the angst well when everything is glued up and you are hoping you got everything right. I also know the feeling of relief when the paper gets soaked off and you confirm at last that everything is as it should be, straight, centred, and right side up. There’s no feeling quite like it.
Thanks for this blog my friend. Your work gives the rest of us a better understanding of how much there is left to learn.
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
Luke Addington
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80 posts in 1775 days
#2 posted 05-23-2015 04:28 AM
Incredible work as always Patrice! I already love these boxes. I really hope to see them in June!
-- Luke, http://www.AddingtonFurniture.com
lightweightladylefty
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3471 posts in 4320 days
#3 posted 05-23-2015 05:00 AM
Patrice,
This is absolutely breath-taking. We can’t wait to see it completed.
L/W
-- Jesus is the ONLY reason for ANY season.
Sodabowski
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2388 posts in 3440 days
#4 posted 05-23-2015 06:26 AM
Already phenomenal, particularly from the last picture. Wow.
-- Thomas - there are no problems, there are only solutions.
Charles Maxwell
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1101 posts in 4414 days
#5 posted 05-23-2015 01:54 PM
I’m blown away by your technical competence. It’s artistry that I’ve only seen once before in Sorento, Italy. It’s masterful!
-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com
helluvawreck
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32086 posts in 3474 days
#6 posted 05-23-2015 02:55 PM
This is so beautiful. Congratulations on this fabulous piece.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
RogerBean
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1605 posts in 3561 days
#7 posted 05-23-2015 03:39 PM
Patrice,
I’ve been following all your posts on the progress of these wonderful boxes. They have certainly evolved since I saw the parts in trays a year ago. They will certainly go down as some of the finest ever made. Superlatives are becoming repetitive, but they will certainly be marvelous. The color range you’ve achieved is above and beyond.
Roger
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
RogerBean
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1605 posts in 3561 days
#8 posted 05-23-2015 03:39 PM
Patrice,
I’ve been following all your posts on the progress of these wonderful boxes. They have certainly evolved since I saw the parts in trays a year ago. They will certainly go down as some of the finest ever made. Superlatives are becoming repetitive, but they will certainly be marvelous. The color range you’ve achieved is above and beyond.
Roger
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
Patricelejeune
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383 posts in 2527 days
#9 posted 05-23-2015 05:56 PM
Thanks guys. Don’t throw more I’m blushing.
-- Patrice lejeune
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