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Empire Bookcase

Project by Alan Young posted 460 days ago 475 views 2 times favorited 17 comments Add to Favorites Watch

Over the last week or so I have been posting projects I have completed over the last couple of years or so. This is a bookcase I designed and built in 2006 for my own office. This is a rather bold and brassy piece. Literally. I designed and fabricated all the brass features and hardware on this bookcase except the door hinges and catches. These details include a medallion at the base, columns uniting the upper and lower cases, handles on the doors in the lower case, knobs on the map drawer, and finials to top the upper case.

The drawer is for maps and other pamphlets. The drawer has a lid so when you pull it out you can rest reading material on it or lift the lid to retrieve a map.

The design is based on architecture from the Empire Period-specifically the “Mansard Roof” line.

A theme of diamonds and turnings starts with the center top Pediment.

The side columns feature a 5/8” diamter rod separating a The base and top , each of which feature a 1/2” platform and four 1/2” diamter balls .

A Brass turned finial caps the design.

Hand turned hardware for the doors and drawer.

At the base- A medallion of Balls and Diamonds

In addition to the brass, this design features veneers of Quarter sawn Anigre, Cherry, Maple, Mahogany, and Red Oak. The frame is constructed of ebonized Walnut and Poplar with a shellac finish that yields a compliment to the brass, lighter veneers, and inlays. Thanks for looking. Alan


17 comments so far

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14096 posts in 1039 days


posted 460 days ago

ah….. “OH MY GOODNESS”
this is astounding. The overall look, the design, the individual elements, the craftsmanship… Absolutely stunning

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Greg Wurst's profile

Greg Wurst

713 posts in 711 days


posted 460 days ago

Nicely-done!

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

View woodworm's profile

woodworm

7845 posts in 469 days


posted 460 days ago

Great effort…
I just cannot imagine how I can turn the finial brass knobs.
Thanks for sharing with us.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

View ryno101's profile

ryno101

231 posts in 543 days


posted 460 days ago

Wow, that’s gorgeous… nice work!

-- Ryno

View Bigbuck's profile

Bigbuck

1366 posts in 542 days


posted 460 days ago

Very nice details

-- Glenn, New Mexico

View stanley2's profile

stanley2

274 posts in 674 days


posted 460 days ago

Alan, that is a lot of detail to bring together – nicely executed.

-- Phil in British Columbia

View Dennis Zongker's profile

Dennis Zongker

1005 posts in 471 days


posted 460 days ago

Great Job!!! I se our Marquetry book by Pierre Ramond on the shelf. Thanks for sharing.

-- Dennis Zongker

View thetimberkid's profile

thetimberkid

1944 posts in 582 days


posted 460 days ago

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 595 days


posted 460 days ago

very beautiful works. confirm the book of ramon Pierre is a very good book of reference

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View mcoyfrog's profile

mcoyfrog

735 posts in 473 days


posted 460 days ago

WOW amazing detail, very nice…

-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug

View trifern's profile

trifern

7890 posts in 646 days


posted 460 days ago

Nice looking piece of furniture. I like your attention to details. Thank you for sharing.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View brianinpa's profile

brianinpa

1363 posts in 602 days


posted 460 days ago

Details, details, and details. I think you got them all with this one. Very nice work.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

View Alan Young's profile

Alan Young

57 posts in 599 days


posted 459 days ago

I appreciate all the kinds words. And yes that Pierre Ramond Marquetry book is wonderful. Also appearing in the pictures is “Furniture” by Judith Miller-an outstanding resource. Here’s a review I wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1A3JWY3Z1PEV2/ref=cm_cr_dp_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview

There is also a book on furniture from Winterthur -The DuPont Mansion….

Alan

View daveintexas's profile

daveintexas

338 posts in 755 days


posted 459 days ago

Wow, you have a real set of brass balls.
Your maquetry is simply fantastic, I am very envious as I am just starting down that road.

Keep the pictures coming they are a great insperation.

Thanks for posting

-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture

View dewoodwork's profile

dewoodwork

110 posts in 834 days


posted 442 days ago

Amazing work. You are quite the talented artist. This piece certainly stands out in a crowd. I love it.

-- Express creativity with wood, Dewayne. Vacaville CA.

View kolwdwrkr's profile

kolwdwrkr

2218 posts in 469 days


posted 127 days ago

This is certainly a nice piece.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

15557 posts in 456 days


posted 127 days ago

Most unique and beautiful bookcase.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

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