It wasn't a surprise that I found a project in the catalog "Spice Chests of Chester County". I had been looking for a challenging project and found one in the duplication of one of the spice chests. Using only photographs, I proceeded to draw up a full scale drawing of the chest. This alone was a challenge and took me many tries to get the drawing to look right in both size and proportion. Little did I know that the rosettes and finials were Victorian replacements. When "Fine Woodworking" came out with articles on Philadelphia finials and rosettes, I removed the Victorian ones and replaced them with period correct ones. The primary wood is walnut, the secondary woods poplar. The chest is a 1/2 scale of a tall chest-on-chest(tallboy) made in Philadelphia, c. 1775 and is made in two sections.. the lower and upper portion. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take photographs during the build.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dang, that is some amazing work, well done. I can only aspire to get to that level one day, my meagre projects are nothing that fancy.

1 hour ago, 1fizgig said:

I can only aspire to get to that level one day,

Same here.

 

Some fine work on this gem.  Outstanding!!!

Edited October 9, 20196 yr by Woodbutcherbynight

What a beauty! Outstanding craftsmanship.

Holy cow, that is really nice!

Beautiful work Frederick! 

Wow, that is super!  How long did that project take, how long to draw up the plans and how long to build?

Have you done any other piece inspired by the book?

2 hours ago, Cal said:

Wow, that is super!  How long did that project take, how long to draw up the plans and how long to build?

Have you done any other piece inspired by the book?

Thanks. Drawings took about 2 weeks, off and on, or 10 hours of drawing, measuring and erasing(lots). The actual build was around 4 months, again off and on, or about 100 hours. I've got two other spice chests that I've built and one relates to the Philadelphia style. I'll try to post a few photos of that one later today. The other chest was a copy of one that was built in York County, PA(according to the photo in MAD).

Frederick, what type of finish did you apply?

Absolutely beautiful.  Danl

Turned out nice...

1 hour ago, Michael Thuman said:

Frederick, what type of finish did you apply?

Finish was two seal coats of shellac followed by two coats of eggshell varnish. All coats were rubbed out in between coats.

2 hours ago, FrederickH said:

Thanks. Drawings took about 2 weeks, off and on, or 10 hours of drawing, measuring and erasing(lots). The actual build was around 4 months, again off and on, or about 100 hours. I've got two other spice chests that I've built and one relates to the Philadelphia style. I'll try to post a few photos of that one later today. The other chest was a copy of one that was built in York County, PA(according to the photo in MAD).

Here are some quick photos of the other Philadelphia-style spice chest that I made. I didn't take any photos while the construction was going on. The drawer arrangement is typical for the Philadelphia type of cabinet. Walnut as the primary wood and poplar used for the secondary wood. Hardware is by Ball and Ball.

 

Man! That is so very nice. 

Frederick,

I love the "Old World" craftmanship!

If I didn't know better I would think they were some very nice antique pieces.

Again excellent craftsmanship.

 

Beautiful 

 

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Frederick,

I love the "Old World" craftmanship!

If I didn't know better I would think they were some very nice antique pieces.

That is exactly what I just told my wife.

What everyone else has said!

Another gorgeous piece Frederick.  Do you sign (and date) your work?  Thanks for posting up these pics!

36 minutes ago, Cal said:

Another gorgeous piece Frederick.  Do you sign (and date) your work?  Thanks for posting up these pics!

Thank you. Yes, always signed and dated.