Project Information
This is a box design I developed after much trial and error. I wanted to design a box that invited people to touch it and to pick it up. With no sharp corners, it must be smooth and it needed to have an organic flow about it. And it had to be simple in design to showcase the wood itself and especially the medallion. This design lets you utilize those special pieces that we all squirrel away. Thats why I call these Art Boxes. After the box is completely assembled, I shape the top free hand using a 4" angle grinder, this gives it the pillowed look. The sides have a very slight upward taper which is cut on the bandsaw, and at times also get shaped freehand, depending on the wood.The lift-lid has an inset medallion of contrasting wood and swings up on 2 brass pins and then drops down inside at the back,and into the box cavity. This acts as the lid stay.
The interior is lined in velvet and has Maple dividers. The body is made from one continous piece of wood, so that the grain chases around and then stops in a back corner. This is most appreciated on woods that have linear movement, grain that runs horizontal, such as plain sawn Maple. The edges are mitered and then slip feathers are added in a contrasting wood. The main part of the lid is from the same board as the sides, and sets into a recess in the body and projects above it about 3/8" to allow for shaping. The medallion sets into a recess in the lid and also projects above it about 3/8" for shaping. The handle is T-shaped, with a tenon cut into its back edge, that fits into the mortise in the lids edge. Several jigs and templates for routing are required for construction, but are pretty straight forward to make. The body and lid are Peruvian Walnut and the medallion and handle are figured Myrtlewood.
The finish is Deft spray lacquer, satin gloss.
The interior is lined in velvet and has Maple dividers. The body is made from one continous piece of wood, so that the grain chases around and then stops in a back corner. This is most appreciated on woods that have linear movement, grain that runs horizontal, such as plain sawn Maple. The edges are mitered and then slip feathers are added in a contrasting wood. The main part of the lid is from the same board as the sides, and sets into a recess in the body and projects above it about 3/8" to allow for shaping. The medallion sets into a recess in the lid and also projects above it about 3/8" for shaping. The handle is T-shaped, with a tenon cut into its back edge, that fits into the mortise in the lids edge. Several jigs and templates for routing are required for construction, but are pretty straight forward to make. The body and lid are Peruvian Walnut and the medallion and handle are figured Myrtlewood.
The finish is Deft spray lacquer, satin gloss.