Project by smartBoxmaker | posted 07-31-2011 03:55 PM | 3808 views | 30 times favorited | 26 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
This box departs a little bit from my usual style, if I have one: the brief for this was that it should look 4000 years old and much travelled.
It was designed to contain a variety of cut and uncut samples of lapis which, there is evidence to suggest, has been mined in Afghanistan for as long as 4000 years. So, with a view to creating the impression of a extremely old and worn leather-covered trunk, it is made from birch plywood veneered with macassar ebony and then veneered again with wany-edged burr yew. All the ‘ironwork’ – the straps, nails, corners and excutcheon – is made from ebony and the variety of layers give the box a very tactile quality.
The interior is unusually complex – the section at the back of the main interior was intended for phials of different grades of lapis pigments and the ‘arcades’ were to allow viewing of the contents without needing to remove them. Although this box does now contain some lapis it is used more as a general collector’s box for other stones and for various small, interesting and valuable items.
All internal trays and drawers are made from ripple maple and lined with grey velvet to show off the lapis to best effect.
The centre of the lid features a geometric design drawn by the customer which at first I thought didn’t really fit with the overall concept. He held his ground and I have to admit he was right. It’s not inlaid – the design was carefully cut into the surface and the yew veneer removed to reveal the Macassar ebony underneath.
-- Andrew Crawford, Shropshire, UK. https://www.smartBoxmaker.com
26 comments so far
Gintaras
home | projects | blog
199 posts in 3974 days
#1 posted 07-31-2011 04:03 PM
very nice
-- Gintaras, http://www.woodatelier.com
Jimboe
home | projects | blog
257 posts in 4803 days
#2 posted 07-31-2011 04:05 PM
WOW!!!!!! That is beautiful …..love the woods and design …Again WOW !!!!
shipwright
home | projects | blog
8703 posts in 3851 days
#3 posted 07-31-2011 04:11 PM
That is just so perfect.
You do very fine work sir.
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
CharlieM1958
home | projects | blog
16292 posts in 5271 days
#4 posted 07-31-2011 04:13 PM
This manages to combine fun, beauty, and an element of “buried treasure” all at the same time.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Maveric777
home | projects | blog
2694 posts in 4130 days
#5 posted 07-31-2011 04:22 PM
I’m blown away by this piece Andrew. I honestly don’t know where to start…... After seeing this one and your last project posted I can see why your classes stay filled up and you have published books out there. You sir are definitely a talented man…. Once again… Very impressed…
-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.
RogerBean
home | projects | blog
1605 posts in 4007 days
#6 posted 07-31-2011 05:06 PM
I’ve studied this box many times, and find that I can get lost in all the wonderful details. When it popped up here, I once again find myself mesmerized by the sheer excellence of it all. It’s like a journey through a small amusement park, where each new discovery delights more than the last. And so many delights. So many little unexpected surprises! I find myself drifting off, just staring at it. (Then, I head back off to the shop mumbling that my next one will be better than my last.)
Roger
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
Ian Hawthorne
home | projects | blog
297 posts in 3702 days
#7 posted 07-31-2011 05:07 PM
Love the box, the design and the attention to detail – but not to sure about that carpet!! :)
Cheers
Ian
-- Worlds Best Box Hardware! https://www.facebook.com/NeatHardware?ref=hl
Bertha
home | projects | blog
13615 posts in 3746 days
#8 posted 07-31-2011 05:08 PM
I don’t even know what to say. It’s perhaps one of my favorite projects here since I joined. It’s such an unusual piece that I doubt there’ll ever be anything like it again. Favorited, obviously.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
marter1229
home | projects | blog
437 posts in 4563 days
#9 posted 07-31-2011 05:12 PM
ditto Bertha
-- It's all fun, Terry******N. Idaho https://www.facebook.com/SillyLillyBowsAndMore
itsmic
home | projects | blog
1419 posts in 4171 days
#10 posted 07-31-2011 05:15 PM
Very Fine Box, Great Theme and execution, I have admired Your boxes on Your site for some time now, Great to be able to express my Wonder and Delight here on the site, Welcome to lj’s, Great to have You here, and Thanks for sharing
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
Randy63
home | projects | blog
252 posts in 3945 days
#11 posted 07-31-2011 05:31 PM
Unique and beautiful box. Your photography and use of props for the piece are top notch. The interior details are exquisite. There’s so much to admire in this wonderful piece.
-- Randy, Oakdale, Ca.
majeagle1
home | projects | blog
1429 posts in 4549 days
#12 posted 07-31-2011 05:32 PM
Andrew, welcome to LJ’s and I am sooooo happy that you have decided to join us.
I have gone back and looked at this box at least 5 times before I could even begin to try to express my thoughts on it. I am still speechless!!! This, as well as your cuff link box are the “Piece de Resistance” !
The absolute epitome of perfection of true art and craftsmanship!
I do have your book and like Charlie, only geography ( and maybe a little $$$ ) keep me from coming to learn your trade. I only someday hope that I can attain just a fraction of your talent and skills to create better boxes.
I have added you to my buddy list so I make sure that I NEVER miss one of your masterpieces…..
Thanks so much for sharing your work and skills with us….
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Ken90712
home | projects | blog
17984 posts in 4242 days
#13 posted 07-31-2011 06:02 PM
Ditto from Mav above,
I’m blown away by this piece. I honestly don’t know where to start…… After seeing this one and your last project posted I can see why your classes stay filled up and you have published books out there. You sir are definitely a talented man…. Once again… Very impressed…
The best chest I have ever looked at on here! Amazing work.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
jksmith69
home | projects | blog
89 posts in 3589 days
#14 posted 07-31-2011 06:51 PM
That is Awesome!
-- "Give me wood..... And I will play with it!"
Roger Clark aka Rex
home | projects | blog
6940 posts in 4488 days
#15 posted 07-31-2011 09:30 PM
Really, really nice …... just hope my wife doesn’t see it :-)
-- Roger-R, Republic of Texas. "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" - An eyeball to eyeball confrontation with a blind person is as complete waste of Time.
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 26 comments
Have your say...