Descriptive terms for inlays

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Sometime in the past I remember seeing some publication on the descriptive terms used for various parquetry inlay patterns, but can't find it now so i am hoping that one of you knowledgeable people can point me in the right direction.

I have attached a fairly poor image of some inlay in an 1850's piece of furniture. I know the lines inlaid in the column are just called 'string' inlay.

I think the 'double-stripe' inlay in the base may be called herringbone? The second (lousy phone) photos show a 'single stripe' inlay on the edge of the base and inset between tow strings in the second photo - I'm looking for the correct terms for both.

434261434264

[auscab]

Rope inlays and Feather Bandings according to some searching I just did .
Have a look at the descriptions of the stock here .

Inlays Banding, Inlay Bandings, Inlays Strip, Inlay Strips, Lines And Bandings, Inlay Boarder, Edge Banding - Inlay Banding (http://www.originalmarquetry.co.uk/category_Inlay_Bandings_3.htm)

Rob

[auscab]

The 1938 Encyclopedia of Furniture has Feather Banding described as Herringbone inlay . That’s all it says . Nothing in there about Rope inlay . I googled this for Rope inlay .

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=rope+inlay+banding&client=safari&hl=en-au&prmd=sivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwibvL7S3NLaAhULXrwKHTf_CEsQ_AUIEigC&biw=375&bih=553

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Thank-you Rob,

My brain did know that, but had lost track of the data record! Age both wearies and makes me forgetful. In case you are interested, those are both mid-19th century Australian/Tasmanian pieces that I have. I am currently researching the maker.

Regards

David

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I am writing an article about the little-known maker that will, hopefully, appear in a journal called Australiana published by the Australiana Society. The society was founded in Sydney in 1978 by Kevin Fahy and others (I joined in 1980). The society publishes a wide range of articles on all kinds of Australian collectables in its journal (full-colour, four times a year). www.australiana.org.au (http://www.australiana.org.au) is the link. It would be much easier if my memory worked or if my internet search skills were as good as yours.

Thanks again
David

[auscab]

Yes David . I know what you mean . I’ve used the terms years ago but couldn’t remember if I had it right . Being able to check with google is handy :) . Nice looking pieces , it’s two there is it . I noticed what I thought was Huon . Trying to look and do all this on my phone atm . I never got around to joining the Australiana Society . Good luck with the article . Are the pieces signed ? That’s a big bonus if they are . I thought I was the only one that spotted a J Sly piano stool at an auction viewing many years ago . Stood waiting for it at the sale and when it came up I had no hope . Went through the roof with the price . A very nice piano stool it was !

[AlexS]

Xanthorrhoeas and others, if, during your searches, you come across any information on a maker named H. A. Neilsen, I'd appreciate it. He was a Dane who came to Australia in the late 19th century and worked as a carpenter and builder in far north Queensland until his death in 1946. He's mentioned in the book 'Australian Furniture - A Pictorial History and Dictionary" for his inlaid boxes, one of which my daughter now has, and I believe he also made the R.C. bishop's throne in Cairns, Qld. Perhaps someone living there may be able to confirm this and pst a photo?

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I can find "Nielson (Neilsen)" in the "Dictionary" and a book box at plate 72. Is your daughter's piece like the one illustrated and does it have a similar Nielsen label or is the mark as Neilsen? Photos of piece and any label would be interesting.

I have a friend who lives in Cairns and is now retired so may be prepared to go looking (can't guarantee until I talk to him) but would need to be equipped with some information about labels and type of workmanship.

David

[Xanthorrhoeas]

Yes David . I know what you mean . I’ve used the terms years ago but couldn’t remember if I had it right . Being able to check with google is handy :) . Nice looking pieces , it’s two there is it . I noticed what I thought was Huon . Trying to look and do all this on my phone atm . I never got around to joining the Australiana Society . Good luck with the article . Are the pieces signed ? That’s a big bonus if they are . I thought I was the only one that spotted a J Sly piano stool at an auction viewing many years ago . Stood waiting for it at the sale and when it came up I had no hope . Went through the roof with the price . A very nice piano stool it was !

Both the pieces illustrated are Tasmanian and both contain Huon as well as other Tasmanian timbers. I have three items with the same "signature workmanship" but only one is labelled by the maker. Australian makers were very inconsistent with their labelling, as you would know. We have a set of six pre 1840s identical chairs with original finish. Four are labelled once, one is labelled twice and one isn't labelled at all. I suspect the labelling was left to the apprentice!

I have been guilty of the same myself with new items that I have made. Some are labelled, some I forgot and had a deadline (family/friends gifting) so out they went with no label. My early pieces had at most a pencil inscription. I can therefore understand the inconsistent labelling of 19th Century furniture better than if I had never been a maker myself.

I have never seen a J Sly piano stool but imagine it was quite a cut above the norm for such items.
David