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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    Default Dad’s Desk (& help identifying timber)

    There’s a threefold reason to post this; Firstly to show off my dad’s craftsmanship. Secondly to have a web based record that I can provide a link to if my friends are interested (I’ll get around to writing a blog one day and include some of my better posts). And thirdly, I’m interested if anyone can identify the timbers used and give some advice. My father passed on three years ago and I wish I’d asked him more about its construction. I think it’s made of some type of walnut? I’ve got no idea of the other timbers used for the marquetry (inlay?) but that's not so important since that part is intact. I've been a chippy/builder for 25 yrs, but the only timbers I could identify would be the handful commonly used in construction. It's not that important to know, but I'd like to find a good match for some new legs and knobs. I know it probably won't be cheap finding a match for the grain (if I can?).
    It was made in Denmark around the late forties (a few years to go before it's 'antique') when dad was an apprentice cabinetmaker in a joinery shop (he must have had a good teacher in the shop). He designed it as a project that he would be examined on to pass his apprenticeship, and he won a medal for excellence. My brother has the medal and I’ll have to get a couple of photos of it. They weren’t handed out every year, but only when an outstanding piece was presented. The three drawers are different depths with the widest at the bottom. He said he designed it that way because it was easier, not to build, but to pass the test. You see he was scared that if he made them all the same size then he’d lose marks if the drawers weren’t interchangeable with a perfect fit, so he made sure that they wouldn’t try. Somehow, I think they would have passed him regardless.

    You can see that it needs some restoration but I know nothing about finishing a fine piece like this although I could make and fit the pieces that are missing. It’s missing the roll top knobs and one of the mini drawer knobs (I'll get a lathe one day). Some drawer stops need replacing/re fixing and I may have to remove the back (which is tacked on) and see what I can do with the long and narrow mini drawers. I don't think I can replace the stops from the front. The legs also need replacing. They were originally carved but they had borer damage and they disintegrated when my grandfather packed it for shipping to Australia. My father whacked on some straight bits of maple and unfortunately there’s only one old photo of it and it’s cut off above the legs so there’s no record of the originals. I’ll have to just choose an appropriate style and try to match the timber as best I can. Any suggestions what to use?

    My camera’s not too good with flash at a distance, so some are a bit dark but I’m not moving the desk outside to photograph it. There's a picture of the old man on top of his desk in the first shot. (My brother and sister are in the family portrait which was taken in Denmark before I was born.)

    No more gabbling. Here’s the desk : -



    The drawers: -



    It has a roll top that glides smoothly and when I open the back up I’ll see how the hinges are set up: -



    The roll top is always open displaying the fine marquetry? work, and miniature drawers and doors: -




    The writing top extends: -



    It’s not insured and obviously it’s priceless to the family. I wouldn’t know what dollar value to put on it and I hope it’s never sold, but does anyone have an idea of what it’s worth just for insurance purposes?


    It will be a while before I have time to fix it up, but thanks in advance for any comments and advice.

    Anyway, I'd better get ready to pick up my daughter. She's coming down for visitation and we're going to the museum and taking a ferry home.


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  3. #2
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    Default

    That's a beautiful piece, Pawnhead, I can understand you being proud of your father's work.

    In many of the Scandinavian apprentice schools, they received excellent training not only in furniture making, but in design and architecture. The result was that a unified style developed.
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  4. #3
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    Jun 2005
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    Your father was pretty skilled. I'd love to see the desk up close!
    Cheers,
    Clinton

    "Use your third eye" - Watson

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinton_findlay/

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    I am gonna assume Denmark Scandinavia not Denmark West Australia.

    The most common tree species are Norway spruce (27 %, all planted), beech (17%) and oak (9 %).

    Plantation forestry has been practiced since as early as the 15th century because of land degradation. Most of Denmark was deafforested reaching a low of 4 percent of total land area around 1800

    So although i think it a mistake to rule out completely any european timber. I wouldlook at the folowing timbers.

    oak and beech, conifers such as Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (the only pine indigenous to Denmark), and introduced firs such as Abies nobilis, Abies alba and Abies nordmanniana. Swiss mountain pine, Pinus mugo, was established over large areas, creating "a carpet of mountain pine rolled out over the dunes" (Nielsen, 1994). Later introductions included the North American lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, and Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis. Pinus mugo,
    firs ( A. grandis, and A. procera), pines P. nigra spruce (Picea glauca and P. abies) and larch (Larix sp.), as well as a number of indigenous broad-leaved species (oak, beech, alder, birch and wild cherry, among others).
    source http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y3582e/y3582e15.htm

    I make many assumptions here, Too many for good research but mention of these types of trees may jog someones memory.

    Most danish people speak and read a very good amount of English I would suggest contacting a timber supply company in Denmark and forwarding the photos.
    http://www.iht.dk/

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
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    Sydney, NSW
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    Great looking desk

    Good song of your songs too
    Brett

    Only Robinson Crusoe could get everything done by Friday!

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by dadpad View Post
    I am gonna assume Denmark Scandinavia not Denmark West Australia.
    I'm a Viking see avatar.

    Thanks for the research. I don't think I'll be ordering the timber from Denmark though. I just need a few short legs and a couple of small knobs. A bit of off the shelf hardwood will do if I stain it up to get the colour close to this piece under the base.
    Quote Originally Posted by oges
    Good song of your songs too


    Thanks for the comments guys. I'm pretty proud of his work.


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