A cutlery box in a Georgian style

**mic-d** · 23rd July 2011, 10:07 PM

I have been promising my good lady a box for her inherited cutlery set for a long time, a long, long time. Fortunately she is a patient type. The cutlery set deserves a good home, it is a German 800 sterling silver 12 place set of insignificant age. I had thought long and hard about the design and could find no inspiration either from within my own imagination or without. Then one day I stumbled upon a Georgian serpentine-front knife box similar to this one:

Attachment 176916
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It was love at first sight and I knew that this was what I must build for our cutlery set. That was two years ago and the enchantment of the design has not diminished.
I can’t do an historical synopsis as well as Woodwould but in summary, boxes of this type, often in pairs, would have held the valuable silver flatware and cutlery of stately houses locked away under the watchful eye of the lady of the house. Apparently they were often displayed on the sideboard as a sign of prestige. They seem to have been popular from the early 18th century into the early 19th century and along with the urn-type knife boxes (below) of Hepplewhite and others were the most common patterns of the day.

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I thought it was prudent to make a trial box in order to practise the skills necessary for this demanding project and I settled on a double serpentine-front design similar to this box:

Attachment 176918 Attachment 176921
DI-1212-1_W-2270.jpeg Replica Georgian knife box.jpg
There is little information available on the methods of construction of these boxes, although in the last few days I have managed to source a periodical with a story on the construction of a pair of modern replicas.

With little to go on at the time, I had several fruitful communications with Woodwould who gave me a general overview of the type of construction of the original boxes. I’m very grateful to WW, for without this information I would not have been able to proceed.

My trial box is constructed from scrounged materials. Old-growth hoop pine for the sides and back, spruce for the serpentine front, which is a brickwork construction, Australian red cedar for the base, lipping and insert and NG rosewood veneer off-cuts scavenged from a local plywood manufacturer.

I am in the process of applying a shellac finish to the box, and trialling a pattern for the panel which separates individual pieces of cutlery. I’m also awaiting arrival of period hardware. Unfortunately I cannot source a period-accurate lock. It is not critical, this box will likely be fitted out as a chisel box for my workbench, and our only servants, two cats, will find little interest in the contents of the actual cutlery box. Here are some photos of the current state of the work.
Attachment 176919 Attachment 176920
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Woodwould please step in if you wish to add any further information.

**Blue-deviled** · 23rd July 2011, 10:49 PM

That's a superior chisel rack! Very nice indeed.

**Cliff Rogers** · 23rd July 2011, 11:12 PM

**Woodwould** · 23rd July 2011, 11:43 PM

It's turned out very well.

You obviously got the brickwork smoothed out enough to veneer on.

**Ruddy** · 24th July 2011, 12:08 AM

Very very impressive work...I look forward to the second edition!
Like my old third grade teacher used to do....you deserve a star stamped on your forehead.
Congratulations

**mic-d** · 24th July 2011, 12:55 PM

Thank you gents. I'm not sure about the star on my forehead tho

WW, once I sized the entire box with hide glue and gave it a sand back, it became apparent just how good hide glue is.

I think I oversized it, there was a goodly measure of sanding involved!

**Blue-deviled** · 24th July 2011, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

Thank you gents. I'm not sure about the star on my forehead tho

WW, once I sized the entire box with hide glue and gave it a sand back, it became apparent just how good hide glue is.

I think I oversized it, there was a goodly measure of sanding involved!

I don't know, a star on the forehead would be better than having an elephant stamp on it!

**Woodwould** · 24th July 2011, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

WW, once I sized the entire box with hide glue and gave it a sand back, it became apparent just how good hide glue is.

I think I oversized it, there was a goodly measure of sanding involved!

Glad it worked all right. Size needs to be fairly thin stuff and should really only solidify the soft pine without leaving much of a residue on the surface. Two thin coats of size (if required) are better than one thick application of glue.

**mic-d** · 24th July 2011, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Woodwould

Size needs to be fairly thin stuff and should really only solidify the soft pine without leaving much of a residue on the surface. Two thin coats of size (if required) are better than one thick application of glue.

hmmm, I read that somewhere too, or perhaps you told me. Didn't stop me from being heavy handed though

Next time I will know better. Experience is a wonderful teacher.

**wheelinround** · 24th July 2011, 03:32 PM

thats a stunning replication

I have seen one of these boxes in my younger years ca't recall if it was an Aunts or just someone we visited could even be an uncle who's into antiques.

Of course the OT Knife Urns caught my eye also and was looking with hope you may have decided to have a go at that also

. Although I fail to see how knives were ever stored within.

**mic-d** · 24th July 2011, 04:33 PM

Thanks Wheelin.
The urns are very elegant but no I won't be making one... yet. Might have something to do with not being a turner.

I thought Woodwould sent me a line drawing of an urn showing the internal arrangement but I can't find it now. The knives sit vertically in their own vertical pigeon holes.

**wheelinround** · 24th July 2011, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

Thanks Wheelin.
The urns are very elegant but no I won't be making one... yet. Might have something to do with not being a turner.

I thought Woodwould sent me a line drawing of an urn showing the internal arrangement but I can't find it now. The knives sit vertically in their own vertical pigeon holes.

Your right and tallest knives to the centre with such as cheese & fish knives etc around them.

Well best get down to Queensland Woodturners and the DOTS Decorative & Ornamental turners they meet there.

**gwambygine** · 25th July 2011, 03:52 AM

Wowsers. Impressive indeed. Surly the humble everyday knifes and forks would be better served in these practise pieces than chisels? Mind, I love me chisels too, but.. If I was the better half they would be going inside on show somewhere...

**mic-d** · 25th July 2011, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by gwambygine

Wowsers. Impressive indeed. Surly the humble everyday knifes and forks would be better served in these practise pieces than chisels? Mind, I love me chisels too, but.. If I was the better half they would be going inside on show somewhere...

You'd think wouldn't you, but it was her suggestion to use it as a chisel box. I didn't need a second invitation!
The next box will include banding and marquetry and so won't be so plain.

**RufflyRustic** · 25th July 2011, 09:36 AM

Wow Michael! Stunning!!!

And you are making a second??

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