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Author Archives: Jack Plane
Now we are Ten
Ten years ago today – and feeling somewhat despondent – I began writing this blog. It has since elevated my spirits and the combination of making furniture and writing about it continues as one of my favourite pastimes. Today I … Continue reading
Picture This CXXXVIII
I first mentioned a Bristol blue-dash delft charger that I own in this post and in the comments following this post. As it happens, Woolley and Wallis are conducting The Warner Collection of British Delftware auction at their rooms in … Continue reading
Picture This CXXXVI
I previously mentioned the differences between plain cut-in and worked-up shelf supports for bookcases etc. The image below is a good example of simple cut-in supports. Oak bookcase, circa 1760. Jack Plane
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Picture This CXXXVI
Further to the walnut secretaire chest-on-chest in Picture This CXXX, this secretaire chest-on-chest recently caught my eye. Fig. 1. George II oak secretaire chest-on-chest, circa 1750. I previously mentioned early secretaire drawer fronts were commonly secured with simple iron hooks … Continue reading
Picture This CXXXV
Here’s another one for the sleuths: This is described as a “quality solid mahogany dressing table, circa 1770”. Can I have your opinions please? Jack Plane
Picture This CXXXIV
This table is described by its vendor as a “late 18th century Queen Anne walnut lowboy”. Would the sleuths please set the record straight? Jack Plane
Picture This CXXXIII
I previously mentioned chair-back settees and how they can, with a modicum of forethought, be effectively created from extant side chairs. The settee in figure 1 is one such conversion. Fig. 1. Utterly convincing transformation of three circa 1760 oak … Continue reading
Picture This CXXXII
This chest-on-chest was made at a time when mahogany’s adoption was virtually universal and walnut’s quondam reign was all but over. Fig. 1. George II walnut chest-on-chest, circa 1750. The rather tardy use of walnut is not the only behindhand … Continue reading
The Old Irish Tree List
In pre-Christian Irish society, brehons or judges laid down the law. This early body of law is now recognised as probably the oldest known European example of a sophisticated legal system. The Brehon law survived relatively intact right through the … Continue reading
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A Counterfeit Tortoise Shell Frame
Samuel Pepys’ diary entry for Wednesday 27 June 1666. He (Lovett) did also carry me to a Knight’s chamber in Graye’s Inne, where there is a frame of his making, of counterfeite [sic] tortoise shell, which indeed is most excellently … Continue reading
