Posts Tagged ‘Gold Inlay’

Custom Carved Wooden Box

Recently, I was commissioned by a client to design, build, and carve a wooden box. This was to be a special box; a unique box; a box of heirloom quality; indeed a treasure box for cherished dreams.

It was to be a gift with the receivers initials. A date of completion was set….

What would be a more harmonious design for such a task than a ‘book’ box. For it is through a book, one may travel the world over, visit the past, sojourn in the present, and dream of the future. Thus….

The first part of my journey was to select and purchase the wood (fine Honduras Mahogany); then to fabricate the box  ( by art, skill, and labor).    

Art:  The design and layout, and hand carved (no laser).

Skill:  Simulating the binding and paper; hidden dowel joinery through the stars covered with gold inlay. Solid brass hinges, lock, and screws finished with an acid antiquing process. Contouring the wood to the likeness of the pages, finished with an electric pencil and a blend of whitewash. 

Labor:  To cut and match the wood grain and, ultimately, putting it all together, to finish with a special blend of oil.

Below, is a visual walk through of the process from design to completion.

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