Gareth Brown, Colonel Light Gardens, SA

Table Number Two
American walnut, Brazilian mahogany
2200 x 1100 x 740mm

The Brazilian mahogany for the cabriole ball and claw table legs was sourced from a local cabinet maker in Adelaide These legs are a reproduction of the Chippendale era and hand carved.
The small brackets are also carved from Brazilian mahogany and attached using dowels and megapoxy two-part epoxy glue. I used a welded aluminum ladder shaped sub frame for support over the two metre length to prevent any flex in the table. This is fixed to the brackets with screws and megapoxy. I used MDF to cover the aluminum frame which is also attached to the cabriole brackets using biscuits and megapoxy which joins to the table legs.
The top is American walnut which has been veneered onto MDF and then glued to the frame using megapoxy and biscuits. The drawers are made from solid American walnut employing hand cut dovetails for construction. The legs, frame and drawer fronts will be sprayed with Mirotone acid catalyst two pack lacquer and have two base coats and three top coats while the top of the table is oiled with Rustins Danish oil.

Concept
The idea behind this table was to merge quintessential ball and claw legs with a minimalist tabletop. By mixing old and new I have created a contemporary table with clean lines that doesn’t detract from the classic beauty and intricacy of the carved legs.
I’ve kept the warmth of wood for the top and by lacquering the rest it looks as if it could have been carved from the one piece, just the top peeping through. The drawers at each end are designed to be almost seamless and accommodate a fine silver cutlery set.
It is meant to be a striking statement piece which will have timeless beauty.

Photos: Grant Hancock