At the start of a new year we're looking back a lot further than 2015 to the incredible work of last century cabinetmaker John Mason (1864–1944).
Mason was born in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia and served an apprencticeship with local cabinetmakers, Popp Bros. In addition to ongoing work in his field he instructed a generation of cabinetmakers at Maryborough Technical College from 1907–1929.
The long case clock featured here, made in 1935–1936 was inlaid with approximately ten thousand pieces of timber, primarily Queensland species.
It is acknowledged that his best pieces were made for his family in his non-income earning hours. The longcase clock is part of the bequest of Helen Mason which forms part of the Australian furniture collection at the Museum of Queensland. The inlaid dressing chest was made by Mason over the period 1890–95, another masterpiece of fine woodworking.
The photos shown here were supplied by the Museum of Queensland for the story published in Australian Wood Review, issue 21, 1998. Queensland Art Gallery also has some furniture made by John Mason in its collection.
