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1765 Newport Blockfront Chest

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Makers Challenge

Maker
Henry Beamer
Entry Number
1
Entry Category
Intermediate

Winner! (Intermediate Category)

Replica of the 1765 Newport 4 drawer blockfront by John Townsend in the Metropolitan Museum in NYC.

I have been in love with Newport furniture since a visit to the Winterthur Museum in the 90’s where I bought a copy of Master Craftsmen of Newport.  This project has been on my “bucket list” ever since.  The top and sides are from a single full width board and were hand planed as they were way too wide for my planer.  Alan Breed’s counsel and FWW articles were invaluable in the design and execution of this project.

Materials:
primary wood - Peruvian mahogany purchased from Irion Lumber Co.
secondary woods - quarter sawn white oak (drawer sides), poplar
finish - tinted shellac
hardware - Ball & Ball

source materials:
Master Craftsmen of Newport
American Furniture in the Met
John Townsend Newport Cabinetmaker
Metropolitan Museum in NYC
     pictures from their website
     drawer front profile tracing
Allan Breed
     Fine Woodworking article
     conversations