Nicholas Bailey, Fortitude Valley, Qld

Family Heirloom Keepsake Boxes
Brushbox
415 x 385 x 155mm h

Materials
The keepsake boxes were made from approximately 60 year old brushbox floorboards located in my client’s house. The house originally belonged to my client’s parents and was to be demolished as part of extensive renovations occurring on the property. The house held a great deal of sentimental value which is why they wanted to keep a connection to the home through the boxes. The boxes were designed to be heirlooms for the children to keep special items in throughout their lives.
I selected only the best boards that had the nicest figure and similar colour.

Methods
The brushbox floorboards were re-milled and joined to remove the majority of the nail holes as well as the old tongue and groove join. The clear span between the nail holes was generally sufficient for me to achieve the lengths required for the sides and top. I re-machined the shop bought brass corners and inlaid them to create a simple, protective detail on the lids of the boxes.
The box and drawer were constructed using traditional hand cut dovetails and a frame and panel construction for the lid. I modified a brass cupboard latch to work as a drawer release mechanism accessed from inside the top of the box once the lid has been unlocked. This enabled the box to be fully secured with one lock.
The fine detail for the keepsake boxes includes features of inlaid marquetry to create the lettering in three of the boxes for my client’s sons. The fourth box used a unique and specialist finish created through mixing gold pigment and fibreglass resin within the etched out lettering for their daughter.
The inside of the box was fully lined with a durable micro suede fabric and included divisions and a removable tray.
The boxes were French polished to enhance the beautiful figure and grain in the brushbox as well as providing a layer to protect the brass from tarnishing.

Concept
My brief was to make three boxes of equal proportions for keeping precious items for my client’s three children (sons). Not long after completing the three boxes, my client announced that another box was required for an expected daughter. My clients wanted to incorporate recycled materials from their house which was being demolished.
To fit in with the taste of my client I went with a simple classic look. The boxes needed to be treasured by the children and be individual and represent each child as well as create a sense of tradition for my clients. To further create a sense of tradition for the family I researched their family crest and made each box with an inlaid marquetry family crest.