"In
designing my Jewelry Boxes, I wanted to create a piece that
was both highly functional and also made it’s own design
statement. While there were many compromises to accomplish
both objectives, one of the most noticeable aspects of the
piece, the handle for the lid, does both. While providing
for an easy way to open the box, it also provides a focal
point for the piece.
"The
evolution of this handle is interesting. My first piece of
fine woodworking was a small cabinet for a bat mitzvah gift
for my niece. The cabinet was designed to store and display
a set of family heirloom Sabbath candlesticks. Acting on a
suggestion from my woodworking mentor, the handles for the
doors of the cabinet projected above and below the cabinet
body, reflecting the handles of a Torah, the scrolls central
to Judaism.
"In
designing the Jewelry Boxes, I took this same handle, moved
it to the front of the lid, and abstracted and simplified
it further. It now bears little direct reference to it’s
initial inspiration, but is attractive and functional.
"The
other outstanding feature of my Jewelry Boxes is the wonderfully
figured Burl Veneer panel in the top. Indeed, the entire box
is constructed to be a series of frames around this panel,
first in the frame of the lid itself, and then in the way
the lid rests inside the body of the box itself."
"My
Treasure Boxes, rather than being functional jewelry boxes,
are intended to hold one or more special objects for their
owner.
"In
designing these boxes, I borrowed from a series of larger
tables I have been making for several years, which featured
a rather complex mitered compound leg. The leg was simplified,
and the curve adjusted to better fit the smaller scale, while
maintaining the mitered construction.
"Likewise,
the symmetric or arched shape on the bottom of the box was
taken from the shape of the stretcher of the tables. The asymmetric
or wave shape is a new addition, inspired by the often asymmetric
furniture pieces I’ve made."
