Woodworker: James PlatteterThree factors motivated Platteter to build this Pennsylvania spice box: the beauty of the original in The Pennsylvania Spice Box by Lee Ellen Griffith (Chester County, 1986), the technical challenge it would provide, and the allure of adding a secret drawer, a feature of many spice boxes. This box (10-1/2 in. deep by 16-1/2 in. wide by 23-1/2 in. tall) is made with figured cherry, curly mahogany, poplar, white pine, and white oak. The inlay woods are yellowheart, walnut, maple, padauk, ebony, and curly bubinga, and the finish is tung oil. Photo: Mark Schofield

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