Simon Zablotsky, Berry, NSW

Shearwater jewellery box
Murray River redgum, Huon pine, rosewood, sycamore
350 x 260 x 160mm

Materials
The box is made primarily of Murray River redgum, the drawers have Huon pine sides and backs and the bottoms of the drawers are made from New South Wales scented rosewood. The four lids are made from sycamore.
The birds are cast in sterling silver and then rhodium plated to prevent oxidization of the silver.
The brass rods inside the box has also been rhodium plated.

Method of construction
Traditional solid wood handcut joinery.

Glue: crosslinking PVAs (AV Syntec)

Finish: two coats Livos Linus priming oil and three coats Ardvos finishing oil

Concept
The natural environment is a great passion of mine and my intention is to create pieces of work that encompass nature and natural forms with various materials.
The jewellery box is designed specifically as an heirloom piece for my wife. It was inspired by her sense of adventure, affinity with water activities and the freedom of the outdoors.
The rhodium plated sterling silver birds skimming the surface of the water evokes a sense of freedom. The birds serve as handles on the four sycamore lids representing the sea.
The first layer of compartments is intended for longer pieces of jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
There are six drawers separated by rhodium-plated columns. Inside the drawers are secret compartments.
It is constructed with one hundred and eight separate dovetail joints and seven different methods of joinery.

Photos: Philip Kuruvita