Weekend Antiquing
Antique Lids Find New Bases. The challenge is to produce forty wood bases for antique European and Asian lids from the 1700 and 1800′s. I made an unusual purchase from an antique dealer who was hesitant to sell these lids to me. He was very skeptical that I had some of the bases and that would make a matching set rather valuable. Explaining that I am a woodturner and showing him my work on my cell phone I promise to create new wood bases for the lids. He finally agrees to sell me eight pieces.
Building a relationship
I return a month later to show him what I created and ask him to choose the favorite. I offer that piece as a gift and he was rather surprised. Looking around I do not see the lids that were left behind. Asking if I could purchase the remaining lids he opens a drawer where they are now hiding. We have now built trust and he basically gifts them to me with the commitment that I show him the series as it develops. And more importantly, that I respect the work of these former artisans. The process of developing a matching wood base considering form, color and texture was a two year journey.
I enjoy having the design license to match the lids with new bodies.
Here is a link to some of the other pieces in the Antique Lids Find New Bases series. Summertime Bowl
Gift Ideas
If you are looking for a unique gift and do not see something in this store, Perhaps you can visit my Etsy store.
Studio
I design and produce all of my items in my Montvale New Jersey USA studio. My main tool is the wood lath. I will spend as much time at the workbench doing finishing.