Video
The Modern Master: Allan Breed
After decades of carving, Al Breed still wants to know what the first cut a 18th-century craftsperson made in a carving.
Jan 05, 2017
Growing up in New Hampshire, Allan Breed began buying, repairing, and reselling antique furniture in his early teens, and before he was 20, he was serving an apprenticeship in conservation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In the decades since, he has worked as a consultant and conservator on some of the most prominent pieces of American period furniture and has reproduced hundreds of pieces, including the famous Nicholas Brown Desk and Bookcase, and the Newport secretary built by John Townsend that sold at auction for $12.1 million. Prized by Sotheby’s and Christie’s as an expert on period craftsmanship, Al also teaches classes in carving and period furniture making in his New Hampshire shop.
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Regarding the question that it asked in this video: Why don't we have more stuff made by artisans with their own hands like in the old times? – there is one thing that really bugs me: none of these people talk about money, ever.
I am pretty confident that there are lots of people who would furnish their homes with Brian Boggs chairs, or furniture by Garrett Hack, David Finck, James Krenov, David Charlesworth, David Barron, you name it. But there are only so many people who can afford a full set of $2,000 chairs with a dining room table to match instead of buying IKEA.
There is another reason that there are not more people who are artisans. It takes a discipline that people do not have nowadays. There are not many people (including myself, unfortunately) who have the discipline to learn, practice and develop the art to make a piece of fine art that is also a fine piece of furniture.
When I make something, I really want to get the job done. While there is something I've made in every room of my home, none of them could be considered art. But they are all of higher quality than things from a discount furniture store and I can generally proudly tell people that "I made that".
I think you both are missing the point. He didn't raise the issue of crafting for profit but simply questioning why more talented individuals don't explore the possibilities of this craft.
Not everyone has the eye, patience or talent to do this nor does everyone want this style of furniture. That said it's refreshing to see people are still willing to do this and to buy this.
I want one of those spindle holders for carving. Anyone know where I can get one?
Ha! You and me both! Even Al doesn't know where to find another one. He bought it from the same place he got his chisels.
The 6 shell secretary that sold for $12.1 million at was by John Townsend, not by John Goddard.
I once heard it said that behind every professional woodworker is a wife with benefits!
Al is one of our craft's true treasures. You won't be disappointed taking a class with Al. He can give you insight that you may never acquire on your own.
When doing hand carving it may be that the artist also wants to know the person buying the piece. Putting for example 1,200 hours (30 wks) into a piece, even if you are retired and working for the art of it, may demand it goes to the right person. Not many will pay even a decent wage for this kind of work. A good book from FWW on "making period furniture" will give you insights on art vs making a living. Perhaps, finding the right balance is the answer.
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