| Project by Eric M. Saperstein | posted 57 days ago | 406 views | 0 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
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This solid walnut reproduction of a Duncan Phyfe roll top desk is almost as rare as the circa 1830 original. Duncan Phyfe developed the first of the roll top desk line, consisting of a cloth backed grouping of hand spoke shaved solid wood sticks bound against the cloth.
Although it stands in appearance with simplistic elegance, this desk is was one of the most complex pieces completed by my father Master Craftsman Stanley D. Saperstein as an example of a Master’s work now almost 20 years ago. This was a self challenge piece – one done just to make sure he could execute the project from start to finish.
Proudly displaying detailed carving and hand fluting work on the feet and turned spindle legs all in solid walnut. Extension leaves were employed to extend writing surfaces and leg room from the front of the “new form” of compacted storage.
The desk is finished naturally in a hand rubbed shellac. Almost all our finishes are shellac / tung oil varnish. We always strive for a finish that appears to be that of a well maintained original antique. The walnut is natural, not the steamed kind available now that hides half the beauty of the grain.
The piece houses some of my father’s knife collection and is one of the show room pieces currently on display in his home as part of our personal collection.
Periodically we get inquiries on these – for for some reason we never seem to get one sold on commission. We shall see – maybe some day!
-- Eric M. Saperstein, Master Craftsman www.artisansofthevalley.com
8 comments so far
littlecope
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604 posts in 400 days
posted 57 days ago
A very beautiful piece, Eric. Wonderful Work…
Your own pursuit for (and achievement of) excellence clearly started with your Dad!
-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.
Charles Maxwell
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160 posts in 705 days
posted 57 days ago
Eric, A+ Gorgeous piece.
-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com
Woodwrecker
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496 posts in 473 days
posted 57 days ago
I bet working with your Dad on such pieces was very insightful.
Top grade craftsmanship!
-- Eric
rustedknuckles
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105 posts in 649 days
posted 57 days ago
Sweet, those were the home computers of their day.
-- Dave- New Brunswick
a1Jim
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17022 posts in 475 days
posted 57 days ago
Interesting Piece
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
mtnwild
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2026 posts in 425 days
posted 57 days ago
Great piece of furniture….................
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
woodbutcher
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432 posts in 1064 days
posted 57 days ago
Eric M Saperstein,
Your Dad should really be proud of this piece. Did he take deminsions from an actuall piece and replicate it to that degree, or just make them up as he went? I have an old Duncan Phyfe drop leaf table that my Mother left me. I remember how happy she was the day she purchased it and brought it home some 40years back. I believe it’s time I considered refinshing it. It appears to be mahogany. Your Dads’ piece is so much more complex than the drop leaf table. The only similarities I see are the Lions paw feet and drawer pulls which are on both ends of the table, even though there are no drawers. Thank you and your Dad for sharing such an excellent piece with us.
Sincerely,
Ken McGinnis
-- woodbutcher north carolina
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 57 days ago
Eric a beautiful piece . Your father should be very proud of his accomplishments.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †