Carved Panelled Chest

I knew from the moment I got the initial enquiry that this project would be something special to make. The client was looking to commission a carved panelled chest for storing toys, something they hoped would become a family heirloom. It was during the initial discussion that we came up with the idea of making their farmhouse the feature of the carvings.

Each of the five panels on the chest is hand carved from a selection of the client’s own photographs. They each reflect a scene from their farm or feature one of the many animal characters they have known over the years. As each panel was copied from a photograph, I had very few options for speeding up the process. I therefore opted to simply print off a large copy of the image for reference and carve it directly into the panel. A process that took many hours but was hugely satisfying.

I wanted to keep the design for the chest relatively simple, as it was clear that the carvings would be the main feature. I therefore opted for a very traditional design with a simple concave moulding detail. A large pippy or cats paw oak panel on the lid shows of the natural beauty of the oak. When the lid is lifted the name of the family farm is revealed on the underside. Polished brass ironmongery finishes everything off nicely.

What a pleasure it was to create this chest, I wonder how many generations and stories it will get to see.

Back to Portfolio