Hi Everyone
Many of you will remember a project I posted a while back. This was a keepsake box made with an Intarsia of the different Confederate flags on the lid.

 

 

What I failed to mention was the client that ordered this box lives in Switzerland.
He received the box, loved it and immediately started sending me photos and ideas for the next project. He sent several photos of different bookshelves and the plan was to incorporate a custom intarsia on the sides of the bookshelf.
After some discussion we concluded that the unit would have to be able to break down for shipping purposes and he would have to do the final assembly.
So here is the photo of the bookshelf that he wants to recreate-- Old English style( early 1900's)

 

 

And this is the Photo of the subject for the Intarsia. This will be done as a mirror image on each side of the uprights.

 

 

We chose cherry for the wood and gave it the dimensions of 40" tall x 40" wide x 10" deep. he wanted to add some accent striping on the sides using a nice contrasting wood.
After re-drawing the original photo to include the areas for the Intarsia, This is what the bookshelf will look like.

 

 

All of the cherry components have been cut and dry assembled. Still have to do the edge routing, final sanding and finishing on the cherry.
I used a template and pattern bit to do the routing for the Intarsia recesses. Because I have to make it easy for the client to re-assemble the shelf, I installed alignment dowels in the ends of the shelf pieces and bottom feet. I'm using square drive screws to hold it all together. 

 

 

 

So after many hours of what my client calls " fidgety work" here is the completed right side Intarsia.

Has 135 pieces from 13 different woods.

 

On to the other side.

Fun Stuff

That is really nice!

That is just too awesome. Wow and Wow!!

Fun project and beautiful worksmanship.  Well done.

The box is completely awesome Mike, first off.

I have a few questions, what do you mean by "mirror image" in this situation.

And, the drawing you did of the plan with the intarsia piece installed is beautiful art work in itself, how did you learn to draw so well? The intarsia concept drawing alone is way cool. Thanks for sharing Mike, great work as always and I am completely envious of your talent.

Wow, Mike, that certainly is a testament to your ability- having a customer all the way from Switzerland making special orders!!

Wow, the detail that went into the Intarsia is unbelievable! And I think it all comes together really well with the round edges of the bookshelf!

Good luck finishing the other side and have fun! Can't wait to see the end result!

Thanks for the comments guys.

This was a fun and challenging project.

To John-I have always had the knack to draw but it wasn't until I started creating Intarsia that I really has a use for it.

Mirror image just means that the left side will be constructed  just the opposite of the right side.

Thanks

Another fabulous piece from Mikes' workshop!

Mike, I'm sure others here would love to see some of your earlier work. You are a master. 

Mike

Your work never ceases to amaze me.

Great job and craftsmanship.

 

Wayne

Almost There!!!

I'm running a few days behind on this project but  should wrap it up in the next week or so.  All that is left is to finish the intarsia and apply a few coats of finish,

The right upright is complete with 3 coats of wipe-on and spray poly.

 

The finish really brigs out the color and the details!

Man, that's nice work...

Wow that just looks so cool!

Intarsia is DONE
Still have to apply a couple more coats of finish then do the assembly of the entire shelf unit.
Also need to expose the left panel to UV for a couple of hours to let the Lignum " green out" a little more

 

Absolutely gorgeous, Mike. But then, one should expect nothing less from a craftsman/artist of your talent. 

Just Couldn't stand it!!!
Intarsia is done, Shelves are done, little turned screw buttons are done. still have to apply more coats of finish but just had to see what the whole thing looks like assembled so here it is. Have to break it down anyways for shipping to Switzerland.

   

 

Mike, it is absolutely without a doubt, a wonderful most excellent piece of art. You did it all,from the design, the mock up, the drawings, and planning, man what a neat piece. I hope you are getting compensated the worth of this one. Craftsmanship at its highest level here, job well done sir, hopefully the client will send you images of this in its final resting place!
I want to thank you for sharing this adventure with us Mike.

Mike - don't you just love to start out with someone's idea and make it real for them.  Awesome work, my friend.