The design of this piece can be traced back to one of my earliest turned boxes. That piece took its inspiration from my close connection to traditional furniture that I worked closely with in my restoration work. We still own the original box, made all those 30+ years ago in brown oak though the form has evolved since then to be more generous in its curves.
I still make this box from time to time, larger than the original and now made from thuya burl. This burl grows on the root system of the trees and originates in Morocco. It has a distinctive cedar smell, which remains through the years so that when the lid is opened, a smell reminiscent of pencil sharpenings is still present.
The box is 4″ in diameter and 3″ high.
This has such lovely figuring in the wood.
Oh my. What +Ellie Kennard said. Grabbed my eye immediately.
+Steven Kennard, you say you still make this box. Does this mean that when someone sees a piece of yours that they like but that has been sold off elsewhere that you can recreate it? (I assume you must keep pretty careful notes and other documentation on techniques you use?)
We bought a stained glass piece once like that. We passed through an art fair in Jerome, Arizona one day when were were taking a long weekend up north, saw this piece that an artist had created, and I liked it. I wanted to buy it to put into a light box, i.e., we had a friend (an accomplished carpenter) build a frame for it with lights that go inside so that the box could be turned on and off. We hung it above my mahogany Steinway piano. Anyhow, not being the type to make an impulse buy of an item of that type, we decided to think about it and see if he still had it when we came back through town on the way home. He'd sold it, but was able to create a new one very close to the original. It's hung above the piano ever since.
Thanks a lot +Lynn David Newton
In answer to your question, it is a bit like the stained glass maker of your story. I will recreate a piece very similar to but not identical to the original. As each is made by hand and comes out of my head, I don't need to keep a careful note of sizes and techniques. This means each piece is unique, especially when it comes to pieces made from figured woods such as this. Each piece of wood unique.
In fact I do have one of these at the moment, not the same one that was photographed, but very beautiful with lovely figuring as well.
+Steven Kennard it is always inspiring to see your work. Beautiful.
Totally agree. inspirational
It's a beautiful work and I love reading the words that accompany it.
+Way Fountain thank you very much, I'm very happy that you like this piece. 😊
+Roar Kjær Olsen thank you so much!
+Christina Lihani thank you, there's always a story behind every piece 😃.
On my many visits to you and Ellie’s home, the original English Box has always been one of my favourites of your lovely collection!
Thanks a lot Bev.
Always a pleasure to see your work from design to the woodturning. Thankyou
+david brackenbury thank you very much!
beautiful wood, beautifully turned!
+Joyce Fay thank you Joyce 😊
Its only right that a beautiful piece of wood like this gets made into something beautiful! Lovely craftsmanship.
+Rob Hall thank you, that is a lovely sentiment. Very much appreciated 😊.
http
s://plus.google.com../collection/MuF1Z
ف
Your work is beautiful. I looked through your posts and could not decide as to which one of your pieces I like most. Each one have something special. From the idea, to the wood combination all the way to the finish. Did I say the finish is outstanding?
Great work Steven!
+Abbas Sabbah thanks very much for taking the time to look at all my work and for the lovely comment. I appreciate it.
Love it were can I get one
+Patsy Orridge thanks! It is in my Small Box Store (linked above) but here is the direct link (I ship to most places): https://stevenkennard.com/blog/shop/english-box
Excellent job and interesting info. Thanks.
Thank you +Gerard sammah
Nice
+javier Lopez thank you 👍