Thread: A George III Mahogany Cabinet-on-Chest

I made the French curve from a damaged mahogany taple top when I was about eighteen. I still have it.

The flutes were hand carved, with all the slight variances that brings.

My apologies for doubting your skill, I asked because they looked too perfect in the photo.

If you made the curve when you were eighteen, I guess that means it is more than three years old then

I ( and I am sure lots of others ) would very much appreciate, to see a photocopy or some such that would permit me to make a replica if you are willing to do so.

Regards

Originally Posted by Basilg

I ( and I am sure lots of others ) would very much appreciate, to see a photocopy or some such that would permit me to make a replica if you are willing to do so.

Regards

I'd have to check, but I think the curve is too large for my scanner. If it is, I'll draw it in CAD and post it here. I'll likely get a chance to do it next week, but feel free to remind me if you haven't seen it posted.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

I made the French curve from a damaged mahogany taple top when I was about eighteen. I still have it.

The flutes were hand carved, with all the slight variances that brings.

Quite exotic! I've only seen them in Pear.

WW

Many thanks I shall look forward to your post.

Regards

Glue blocks were positioned round the periphery of the cabinet top to positively locate the cornice.

Cornice locating blocks.

With all the cornice mouldings worked and glued to the cornice frame, I rubbed split corner blocks into the internal corners of the frame and rubbed some small blocks along the inside of the front, back and sides – just below the top edges – to support the top board.

Corner blocks and glue blocks in place.

The top board consists of a couple of pine boards which were rubbed together and then nailed into the opening in the top of the cornice.

The finished cornice atop the cabinet.

Cabinet doors

In departing from the original cabinet-on-chest in one small detail, I will not be applying paterae to the four corners of the doors. I have restored pieces of furniture with paterae in the past; some of the paterae were contemporary to the pieces and some were not. I restored a linen press for an English dealer in the mid eighties and of the seven paterae present (none of them original to the piece I might add), there were five different patterns! The paterae on the doors of the cabinet I'm copying do appear to be contemporary, however I simply detest the things; and as a seemingly equal number of similar bookcase, cabinet and linen press doors exist sans paterae, I will overlook these ones.

I made up the simple rectangular door frames and glued the diagonally joined spandrels into the internal corners. Next I marked the hinge positions on the cabinet and door frames and cut them in. Brass sliding bolts were let into the top and bottom of the left hand door and a brass lock was let into the right hand door.

The door panels will be retained by 1/4" astragal moulding: The straight sections were made with a scratch stock, while the two circular astragal mouldings for the spandrel arcs were turned on the lathe.

Turning the spandrel mouldings.

Spandrel and circular astragal moulding.

I popped the astragal rings off the MDF faceplates and cut them into quarters. The mouldings were then mitred and glued round the internal edges of the door faces. An additional length of astragal moulding was glued along the inner edge of the right hand door to conceal the inner edges of the two doors when closed.

The finished door frames.

Beautiful (and extremely fine)
Cheers,
Jim

Beautiful WW!!

As always this has been a really interesting and informative WIP.

Really enjoying the show WW, very nice work indeed.

Sitting quietly in the background watching this with interest. Wonderful work again WW. Always fascinating to follow your WIP and the lessons behind it all.

Nice work WW
I learn something from all your builds

As the others have said,....had to look up paterae, plural of patera, round or oval shallow dish like decoration

Pete

Originally Posted by pjt

....had to look up paterae, plural of patera, round or oval shallow dish like decoration

Oh good. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
The actual WIP is great to watch, but I'm finding the background info even more interesting. Thank you WW.

Originally Posted by Woodwould

I'd have to check, but I think the curve is too large for my scanner. If it is, I'll draw it in CAD and post it here. I'll likely get a chance to do it next week, but feel free to remind me if you haven't seen it posted.

WW

Any chance of you finding some time to post the French Curve drawing

Regards