As part of the woodworking course at a local community college I’m doing an independant study. The focus is on the design and use of inlays in Arts and Crafts, Prairie and Mission furniture with particular attention to cabinets, stairs and mantles. Upon completion of samples I will then apply the selected approach and materials, using perhaps epoxy, clay or conventional inlays to the kitchen cabinets, stairs and mantle in our new house. I’ll be building all that stuff.
So far I’ve done a search of the college’s and local libraries, FWW archives and past issues and some friends books but have’nt really come up with much info. I know that Harvey Ellis did some embellishing of Stickley’s work with inlays but nothing seems to have been published. Of course I’m aware of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work and MacIntosh’s use of linear design but again not much seems to have been done with inlays particularly on stairs.
So, if any of you can reccommend resources it would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
Wow, you've picked a tough topic. The underlying philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement (and its related Prairie and Mission styles) was a rejection of decoration and mass-production (at least in its design approach) and a return to craftsmanship and at least the appearance of hand-built furniture. So inlay would have been a marked departure and perhaps even inconsistent.
I've seen a lot of this kind of furniture, both in books and in real-life. I've never seen inlay.
Wow, you've picked a tough topic. The underlying philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement (and its related Prairie and Mission styles) was a rejection of decoration and mass-production (at least in its design approach) and a return to craftsmanship and at least the appearance ....AND I picked my beautiful wife~
The book "Stickley Brothers" has some good photos of both the Harvey Ellis inlays and those done by the Stickley Bros. company from Grand Rapids. Jonathon Binzen's book "Arts & Crafts Furniture" is also a good source.
You might also be interested in my book; "Shop Drawings for Craftsman Inlays & Hardware"
Bob Lang
http://www.craftsmanplans.com
Ditto for what he said. It seems like anything with Harvey Ellis's name has an inlay. I forgot what the exact name is for it, barley leaf maybe.
Maybe the Roycrofters inlay some of their Arts and Crafts style stuff too.
I did order your book thru' PayPal but there's no confirmation that my billing info was accepted or that the order is processed so I don't know what's happening.
limeyzen:the PayPal transaction was not completed. you need to try it again, or order through the mail.Bob Lang
http://www.craftsmanplans.com
Doesn't Green and Green fall into this group?
A&C? - yes, inlay? - no or not that I recall. Most of their embellishment was expressed in joinery (much of which was nautically and Japaneese inspired), relief carving and of course the liberal use of ebony splines and pegs. I think I have some links on the home PC I'll look for.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
The more things change ...
We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.
Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC
If you don't mind me asking, where are you located? Which school?
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hmmm I'm curious as to why you ask but it's Haywood Community College in Clyde NC.
Just trying to connect the dots, as it were, and expose myself to information about other college-level woodworking programs. I thought there might be a possibility that I'd know someone in your area or at your school (six degrees of collegiate woodworking?)
This is where I spend the majority of my time:http://www.palomar.edu/woodworking
Sawdust in your shoes,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hmmm I'm curious as to why you ask ????Geeeee.. I thought we liked to talk to folks we knew a 'bit' about!
There is a book on what you are looking for. Of course I cannot remember the tiltle or or the author. I do remember he wrote a book of plans for A & C and did a follow up. Go to the links for Fine Woodworking and check out the the various book sellers. I remeber seeing it there.
One source is Stickley's current furniture catalog. There ia a section of Harvey Ellis as well as what we think of as traditional Stickley. I am currently building some furniture using a combination of a Harvey Ellis design utilizing a walnut inlay inside of a metal ring upon which is mounted the drawer knob. I have modified the overall design to feature exposed M & T pegs and through-tenons. The catalog displays many pieces featuring appliques or decals.
Edited 9/1/2005 2:31 pm ET by DougF
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