The carved embellishments found on eighteenth-century American furniture pieces are what make them memorable works of art. This book directs the serious student through nine authentic elements from the colonial period. Each chapter is devoted to one element and provides pattern drawings, detailed instructions, and abundant photographs of every step. Learn how to execute the entire process from sculpting the surface to layout, roughing in the shapes and levels, and finally carving the details. The selected projects are chosen from historically important eighteenth-century furniture and adorned some of the best pieces ever made. Although the book tackles advanced topics, the instruction is logical and complete so that the serious reader, independent of skill, can successfully work through the steps.

Build one of the most iconic and elegant forms in American furniture history. Expert furniture crafter Kubalak teaches how to craft a reproduction of one of the most highly embellished and finest examples ever made. Using step-by-step photos, Kubalak directs the serious student through this complex project by breaking it into several subprojects, then combining them into the completed piece. Each subproject has its own chapter that provides pattern drawings, exploded views, detailed instructions, and abundant photographs of every step. Additional chapters focus on case construction, subassemblies, and finishing. Although this is an advanced project, the instruction is logical and complete so that the serious reader, independent of skill, can successfully work through the steps. Full-size project plans are included. Build your own version that will be a family heirloom for generations.