Antique Shop Surprise
In an antique gallery there are forty Asia and European vase and bowl lids from 1700 and 1800’s. They are missing their bases. It was quite an unusual display of incomplete products. I think they were there to get attention as there were no prices. This display leads to my first Antique Collaboration which took two years to complete.
Curious why they are on display, the dealer explains many traders have drawers filled with lids hoping to find matching bases. I want these lids. He is very skeptical that I have some of the bases. Explaining that I am a woodturner and showing my work on my cell phone I promise to create new bases for the lids. He agrees to sell me eight pieces.
Returning a month later I show him and gift him the one he likes the best. Asking if I could purchase the remaining lids he opens a drawer where they are now hiding. He basically gifts them to me with the commitment that I show him how the series develops. The process of developing a matching wood base considering form and color is a challenge.
I have taken design license to marry the lonely lids with new bodies. The vase on the left is walnut, the center one is maple and the one on the right is cherry wood.
Here is a link to some of the other pieces in the Antique Collaboration series. Collaboration With Pottery Artist
Gift Ideas
If you are looking for a unique gift and do not see something in this store on my website, perhaps you will visit my Etsy store.
Studio
I design and produce my items in my Montvale New Jersey USA studio. My primary machine is the wood lathe to create the form. Once complete I will spend additional time at the workbench enhancing the piece.