From the Astrologer's Anteroom (1999) and From the Astrologer's Library (2000)
"From the Astrologer's Anteroom" (1999)
Dimensions: Chairs are 16" W x 48" H x 16" D, Table is 18" W x 21" H x 18" D
Materials: red oak, slate, cut iron nails, bronze nails
Finish: Tried n' True (TM) linseed oil with beeswax.
From the Astrologer's Library (2000)
Dimensions: 24" W x 42" H x 24" D
Materials: red oak, slate, cut iron nails, sterling silver wire, stained glass, seed glass
Finish: Sutherland-Welles tung oil, Butcher's Bowling Alley paste wax
Though I am not a furniture maker primarily, I am interested in furniture generally, particularly ancient and medieval furniture. These two works evolved from imaging what kind of furniture a medieval astrologer would have in his rooms.
The surfaces of the chairs and table in "From the Astrologer's Anteroom" are sanded with very coarse (60 grit) sandpaper to leave a more textured surface than finer sanding would give. When combined with the linseed oil and beeswax finish, the surfaces feel a bit like stiff leather, not what most people expect when they see wood.
"From the Astrologer's Library" (also known as the more descriptive, if less colorful, "Bookstand") has a compartment under the hinged top, plus a hidden compartment in the base. In keeping with the theme, the shelves inside the bookstand are covered with the same astological-pattern fabric as the chairs in "From the Astrologer's Anteroom" and the top is decorated with silver wire inlaid as the zodiac star patterns (L to R) Pisces, Leo and Gemini.
Pisces
Leo
Gemini
These constellations represent my and my husband's astrological signs (Pisces, Gemini) and the astrological sign during which the bookstand was completed (Leo).
Page last updated 26 January 2007