Guild Study Program

Mid-18th Century Music Stand

Thomas Boytim, IGMA Artisan

The Ballroom in the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg contains a number of music stands in the style utilized during the mid-18th century. Those actually in the Ballroom are faithful reproductions of antiques appropriate to the period, made by the Colonial Williamsburg cabinetmaker’s shop. The museum has an original music stand of British origin, circa 1750, in its collection. This is the stand we are making a miniature replica of.

Time permitting, class members may also create a second stand that pays respect to those produced by the CW cabinetmaker’s shop as reproductions.

Although the original was made of mahogany, we will be using hard, closely grained woods such as cherry, pear and maple in our miniatures.

Power Tools used: lathe, drill press, rotary tool and table saw.

All skill levels are welcome.

Materials Fee: $30.00

Bargello Needlework

Isabel Leininger, IGMA Artisan

Bargello is a form of canvas work using vertical stitches to form flame-like or geometric patterns, most often using graduated shades of color. In full size, it is usually stitched using wool yarn on open-weave linen or cotton canvas. In miniature, we will used silk thread on silk gauze.

Traditional bargello stitches were seen beginning in the fourteenth century, and continued to be very popular and widely used through the eighteenth century throughout Europe. When the colonies were established in what is now the United States, women brought their stitchery with them. Because it was quite sturdy, it was often used for upholstery on chairs, sofas, and footstools.

The focus of this class will be designing and stitching a cover for a slip seat for an eighteenth-century footstool. Students will look to pictures of actual eighteenth-century needlework for inspiration to design and chart their pattern, choose their shades of color, and begin stitching their design. Partial charts will be available for those who prefer not to chart their own design, but designing one’s own bargello chart is not difficult. Students may choose which count silk gauze they prefer to work on. All materials needed for stitching will be provided.

All skill levels are welcome, although it will be helpful to have some sewing or needlework experience. As an option, the completed needlework may be upholstered to a slip seat for an elegant footstool made especially for us by Mark Murphy.

There will be an option to purchase a footstool made by Mark Murphy for $140.

Materials Fee: $25.00

Henry Nickles Leather Covered Trunk, c. 1743

Deb Mackie, IGMA Artisan

Made in 1743 by Master trunk maker Henry Nickles of London, this domed trunk is highly decorated, covered in decorative brass studs, pierced brass hardware, and Russia leather. It is layered in colorful, marbled paper on the interior. Truly a luxury item, this museum piece is a well-preserved survivor of its time.

Russia leather was famously known for its striking durability, natural water repellency, and distinctively rich, smoky aroma, which were achieved through a highly specific and labor intensive set of techniques. Tanned using willow bark, it had a deep reddish color, and finishing with birch oil and fats gave it its durability and distinctive scent. Most leather pieces of this age have long since disintegrated, and that this piece has survived almost 300 years is a testament to the durability of original Russia leather.

For this class, we will be using thin vegetable tanned leather to cover the wooden trunk, and a large number of tiny, brass studs to simulate the design. Custom reproduction brass hardware will be made for this class by Dr. G’s Brasshole and marbled paper for the interior with a reproduction of Henry Nickles’ label for inside the lid will also be provided. The trunk will be assembled using pre-cut parts.

All skill levels are welcome.

Materials Fee $95.00

Late 18th century Knife Box

Bill Studebaker, IGMA Artisan

This pair of knife boxes were likely imported from England around 1780-1795. They are made of mahogany with light and dark wood inlays. Under the hinged lid are multiple slots to fit silver flatware, keeping the individual pieces from damage through contact with other pieces in a drawer.

The canted top and serpentine front give an elegant appearance, accented by a bead detail standing just proud of the base and lid. An inner divider in the base allows for silverware of different lengths to be displayed upright. The inside of the lid is decorated with an inlaid six-point star, an extra, hidden detail to complement the silver.

Working from measured drawings we will reproduce this piece from antique mahogany and veneers, using mostly hand tools. Drills and files will be used to shape the curves of the front face and the star will be hand cut and inlaid on the underside of the lid.

The class will focus on completing a single box, but materials will be provided to produce a second matching box at home. A simple shellac finish will be furnished for use in class with instructions on how to duplicate it at home.

Power tools used: Table saw and drill press.

Skill level: Intermediate.

Materials Fee $65.00