A few thoughts on wood turning
Wood turning is an ancient art. There is evidence
that turning was practiced in the Egyptian, Greek,
Roman and Byzantine Empires. By the Middle Ages
there were turning guilds in most of the countries of
Europe. In rural settings there were craftsmen who
were joiners as well as turners, but in large cities the
two trades became specialized. Turners not only made
furniture parts but made gears,wheels,kitchenware and
many other objects.
When the Pilgrims first came to America, wood
turning came as well. Wood turning played a prominent
design role in Pilgrim era furniture,( also known as
Jacobean). Tables, joint stools, beds and chairs all used
turnings as one of the primary design statements.
Jacobean turnings are impressive and robust.
that turning was practiced in the Egyptian, Greek,
Roman and Byzantine Empires. By the Middle Ages
there were turning guilds in most of the countries of
Europe. In rural settings there were craftsmen who
were joiners as well as turners, but in large cities the
two trades became specialized. Turners not only made
furniture parts but made gears,wheels,kitchenware and
many other objects.
When the Pilgrims first came to America, wood
turning came as well. Wood turning played a prominent
design role in Pilgrim era furniture,( also known as
Jacobean). Tables, joint stools, beds and chairs all used
turnings as one of the primary design statements.
Jacobean turnings are impressive and robust.
In the 1700's as furniture style advanced into
the Queen Anne style, turning was less of a
prominent design feature. The cabriole legs
replaced the turned leg in most high style
furniture. Country furniture still featured turned
legs in this period
Thirty years ago when I started turning I
made a living making parts for the pine colonial
furniture trade. Ever since then, I have loved
building furniture with turned legs. That is why
most of my furniture is either from the
Jacobean era or the country style.
Nowadays it seems that most wood turners
specialize in art pieces and bowl turning. For
some reason this area of wood turning never
held any fascination for me. I get the most
satisfaction from chairbuilding, which I believe
is a great expression of the wood turners art.
In colonial America every region had its
own style of furniture, and consequently,
turning. I try to copy as many of these styles as
possible for my furniture. This ensures that no
two pieces are ever the same.
the Queen Anne style, turning was less of a
prominent design feature. The cabriole legs
replaced the turned leg in most high style
furniture. Country furniture still featured turned
legs in this period
Thirty years ago when I started turning I
made a living making parts for the pine colonial
furniture trade. Ever since then, I have loved
building furniture with turned legs. That is why
most of my furniture is either from the
Jacobean era or the country style.
Nowadays it seems that most wood turners
specialize in art pieces and bowl turning. For
some reason this area of wood turning never
held any fascination for me. I get the most
satisfaction from chairbuilding, which I believe
is a great expression of the wood turners art.
In colonial America every region had its
own style of furniture, and consequently,
turning. I try to copy as many of these styles as
possible for my furniture. This ensures that no
two pieces are ever the same.
This lathe is a replica of a very early medieval
pole lathe. The rope which is wound around
the turning is tied to a tree branch.
