36 Hour Classes
INSTRUCTOR: Mark Murphy, Fellow
COURSE: Furniture Construction
PROJECT: Queen Anne Desk (THIS CLASS IS FULL)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a very rare Queen Anne desk, circa 1760–1765, probably from Connecticut or Rhode Island. It has a full width drawer, shaped skirt, and exceptionally wellcarved cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The interior contains five full drawers and five hidden drawers behind the scalloped valances. This is a very unusual and pleasing form.
The main focus of the class will be in the case construction and the cutting and shaping of the beautifully formed cabriole legs. The legs will be hand cut with the use of a scroll saw and then hand shaped using files and sanding blocks. There will be much time spent on this part of the process to achieve the beautiful form of the legs. While working on the shaping of the legs students will also be constructing all of the drawers. This will also involve scroll work on the fronts, or valances, of the hidden drawer fronts. This piece has four different drawer sizes. When the case work is completed students will also be constructing the desk’s writing surface, or front. This will involve making a framed edge and setting hinges. When all of the construction is completed students will learn finishing techniques.
TIME: 36 hours. Completion of the construction of the piece is likely with some finishing (staining, varnishing and waxing) to be completed at home.
POWER TOOLS: table saw, scroll saw, drill press, shapers, shaper
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
MATERIALS FEE: $75 to be collected at school