This project started when I saw a similar carved tray, at the local auction, that has been done by Jim Smith, from Shippensburg, PA. I had carved a similar tray, like this one, several years previously that I had seen in Maine Antique Digest(MAD). A friend of mine had gifted me a walnut leaf, from a 150 year old dropleaf table, and I had been saving it for that "special" project. Jim allowed me to photograph the tray at the auction and I proceeded to carve a "larger"version of his tray. The tray is called a cutlery tray and was designed to hold knives, forks, and spoons and right now, this tray is holding candy and is on our dutch cupboard. The wood was so hard, anything beyond razor sharp wouldn't do the smaller, detailed cuts. The corners have been dovetailed to hold the sides together. I also did a "practice" copy in basswood.... remember that both sides of the divider had to be carved. It was finished with 3 coats of shellac, rubbed out in between coats, and then lightly buffed to remove the final shiny finish.

 

 

Wow!

Edited October 8, 20196 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Exquisite!

Very, very, nice! 

Beautiful piece. Well done sir!!

Absolutely beautiful and awesome craftsmanship!   Thank you for sharing.   Danl