Martin Burgoyne, Earth Treasure (Bowls & Boxes)

A flip-top box, or is it a chest of drawers in Japanese kogei style. Kogei is a uniquely Japanese term which brings together a whole range of western concepts that embrace traditional woodwork, creativity, art, craft, and artistic expression. It categories items which though they have a function, are intrinsically ‘beautiful things’, which goes well beyond their utility value. Earth Treasure is covered with book matched birch and cherry veneer, with jarrah edging, a pau shell band, and mother-of-pearl shell dots. It sits on a base of cherry. The lockable, hinged, flip-up end opens onto three small trays. Once removed they can be fitted into the flipped-up end. Behind these trays is a lockable 'kendo-buto' – drop fit door, which opens onto five more trays, which slide out from the long end of the box. The top six trays are made of banksia, with fiddleback jarrah toppings and pau shell inlays. They fit onto two base trays of fiddleback jarrah. It is presented in Japanese 'tsutsumi' gift-wrapped style with a 'tomobako' cedar outer case, and a 'furoshiki', silk brocade fabric cover.

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