Replies

1. 
   mbholden | Jul 18, 2007 08:09pm | #1

   woodhors,

   Try "American Furniture of the 18th Century" by Jeffrey Greene.

   A number of fans and both icicle and bellflower drops.

   Most books on inlay and veneering have examples as well.

   I am unaware of any pattern books focusing on the inlays of the period, nor any on the carving.

   I would dearly love a book that shows the variety used and measured drawings of them. (hint, hint Taunton).

   Mike

2. 
   joinerswork | Jul 18, 2007 08:45pm | #2

   Wood,

   American Furniture: the Federal Period, by Charles Montgomery (Viking Press, New York), is a book showing many federal era pieces in the duPont collection at Winterthur.  It has several pages showing inlay details from the pieces illustrated in the book proper, in color.  They are identified by the geographical region where the piece was made.  May be hard to find, it was out of print for a long time, but I believe it was recently reprinted.

   Ray

1. 
   woodhors | Jul 19, 2007 10:15pm | #3

   A belated thanks to both of you. If FWW published such a book I would buy it in heartbeat. The book you mentioned is in print - ca $25.00 at Amazon. Thanks again!!!!!

3. 
   Stumper | Jul 20, 2007 08:06am | #4

   There was an article in a recent past issue of FWW authored by Steve Latta on some of the Federal Period embellishments. I took a class On Federal decoration at Marc Adams taught by Steve and he is a knowledgeable, excellent teacher.
   Another source would be American Furniture, The Federal Period in the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum by Charles Montgomery.

4. 
   Stumper | Jul 20, 2007 08:21am | #5

   Additional sources:
   In the 18th Century Style, this is a compendium of articles extracted from past issues of FWW and has a section on Federal Style furniture.
   Marquetry & Inlay Handbook by Zachary Taylor: this is more of a "How To" book but it does have some good instruction and examples on inlaying corner banding and stringing.

   Good Luck,
   stumperr

1. 
   woodhors | Jul 22, 2007 11:25pm | #6

   In Steve Latta's FWW article on a Federal game table (issue # 180), he states that the taper of two of the legs is on 3 sides. On the other two legs, the taper is on two sides. I can understand that this can "fool the eyes" and look fine. What I don't understand is why not taper all four sides to begin with. Perhaps historical accuracy?

1. 
   joinerswork | Jul 23, 2007 05:46am | #7

   wood,

   Traditionally, the plane of the apron is continued down the "front" side of the leg.  That means that a leg on a corner will taper on the (two) inside faces, while a leg located along the run of an apron will taper on three sides.  To my eyes, a table that has legs tapered on its outside faces looks "bow-legged', or maybe I should say "pigeon-toed".

   Ray