Demonstrated by Denis Breedon
Denis stated that "I first took an interest in the furniture and philosophy of the Shakers, that to make something well, was in itself an act of prayer, following my daughter's studies at Monash University. The philosopy (as I understood it) virtually stated that the appearance of a thing should depend upon its function." All decoration such as moldings or inlays were eliminated. The austere Shaker chair for example, was designed to be both light and sturdy so that it could be hung on pegs in the walls to provide an unimpeded space for religious services.
The Shakers were members of an American celibate religious sect living in mixed communities, originally founded in Manchester, England in about 1747 by secession from the Quakers. They were named as a result of their dancing movements which formed part of their worship. Their education hinged around the glorification of God and their designs made sure of fitness for purpose, their work being so skilful that there was nothing to glorify the person who made it.
The Shakers were largely agriculturalists, but in winter they made, amongst other things, boxes. And this constitutes the basis of the demonstrated project .
|
|
|
|
Using "quarter sawn" white pine ovals a little under 1/4" thick for the base and a slightly larger one for the lid Denis fashioned the sides of the box out of 1/8" thick Maple also quarter sawn. One end of the side strip was cut with three fingers which overlapped the tail end when wrapped around the oval base. To achieve the desired curvature, the side was bent over a wooden mandrel whilst being heated and smoothed to shape by a hot iron.
|
|
|
|
. This was then drilled and rivetted using short flat headed copper nails the ends of which were "nipped" and finished neatly with a ball peined hammer. The side of the lid was treated in a similar manner and then both sides were fastened to their respective bases by drilling close fitting holes and pinning them with "toothpick like" wooden dowels which were hammered in, cut off and sanded smooth to comlete the job.
|
|
|
|
