Knife Boxes

A pair of knife boxes designed after the two boxes that are located in the Kaufman Collection at Norfolk, VA. The originals are English or American in origin and are characterized by slopping lids and boldly shaped serpentine fronts. My reproductions are made of eastern white pine and veneered in crotch mahogany.

CASE: Although the pilasters on the front of the original pair of knife cases are inlayed with vases of leaves and flowers, my boxes are inlayed with double lunettes, a more complicated version of the lunette banding that decorate my tall case clock. The case lids are veneered on both sides except for the inside of the shaped front that is painted with red milk paint. The inside of each lid has an original elliptical shaped double lunette paterae bordered by inlay banding made of triangular shaped pieces of ebony and satinwood. This inlay banding also borders the lids and bases. Along the lower border of the sides and front is a satinwood and mahogany herringbone banding. The beaded bottom of the case and the ogee bracket feet are also of solid mahogany. The double lunette motif is chased into the sterling silver escutcheons.

KNIFE DECK: The insert top is solid mahogany bordered and divided into rectangular sections by satinwood lines. Each individual opening is carved to hold a soup spoon, salad fork, teaspoon, dinner fork, and three serving pieces. A pine grid work of partitioned compartments was made to separate each piece of cutlery and is attached to the undersurface of the top.

WOODS: Eastern white pine and mahogany; mahogany, ebony, and satinwood veneers

STERLING SILVER HARDWARE: The escutcheon and pull are made of sterling silver by Ben Wearley, Wearley Studio Gallery, Royal, Oak, MI

BRASS HARDWARE: The brass locks are from Horton Brasses. The hinges are English in origin and are correctly stopped for a knife case. They were purchased from Londonderry Brasses.

DATE: 1998-2003

WHERE CONSTRUCTED: Wing Lake, Bloomfield Hills, MI.

PHOTOGRAPH: Dirk Bakker

PROVENANCE:

1. 2004 "THE KNIFE CASE Design and Construction," American Period Furniture, 4:42-57, Sept. 2004.

2. 2004 "Case Study," Fine Woodworking, 172: Back Cover, September, October 2004.