Period Imperfections

[Jeff L Headley]

This is a desk made in Winchester Virginia in 1798. A true Chippendale Federal desk. Notice the cutting gauge mark on the capitol. 200 years plus and still outstanding! Dog gone it!

 

[zdillinger]

That is exactly why I love true period furniture! Seeing those 'imperfections' and tool marks really cements to me the history of the piece and that it was truly handmade. It is a quality that I seek to replicate in all of my projects.

 

[mikemcgrail]

Jeff, isn't this desk lacking that little "knob, or teardrop, or doodad" or whatever it is properly called, that the desk lid rotates around. I always thought it was meant to protect that little bit of "lid lip" that is exposed there.
It would fit right above the scribe mark. Think he forgot that bit? I don't care much for end of the lid out there "naked. Perhaps this is just a variation in federal examples I have overlooked. It sure looks original.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Yes it is! And that is what that line is all about a remanent of an added triangle to cover the lid projection.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

This is a reproduction of the internal construction of a 1798 Winchester Virginia USA desk. Williamsburg has the older sister to this piece 1795. The stiles on the 1795 desk come up through the writing surface. Noticeable dark rectangles. A Period Imperfection! The 1798 desk has an angled stile which is what we see in the Valley forward. The triangular pieces to cover the lid projection would have been glued on the stile.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

Angled stile.

 

[Peter Storey Pentz]

Jeff,

Thank you very much for these and the other photos of your work that you share.  It is very helpful in understanding the way that period furniture is put together.  It is also a great help that you show a lot of those small details that make period furniture interesting.  Please keep it up, it is why I became a member.  PSP