About this piece:
This keepsake box brings together two remarkable timbers whose character complements each other beautifully. The body is crafted from Leopard Wood, while the lift-off lid is made from Birds Eye Maple, with discreet Wenge splines reinforcing each corner.
Although I had admired Leopard Wood for many years, this was my first opportunity to work with it. It is an extraordinary timber, distinguished by thousands of tiny flecks that create a rich, textured surface unlike almost any other hardwood. Leopard Wood ranges in colour from deep chocolate brown to warm russet tones; for this piece I selected boards with a rich, reddish warmth that I felt would pair perfectly with the pale maple.
Rather than making the lid from the same timber, I chose Birds Eye Maple to provide contrast. The creamy ivory colour sits comfortably alongside the Leopard Wood without competing for attention, while the delicate bird's-eye figure echoes the irregular texture of the body. The relationship between the two timbers is one of harmony rather than similarity.
Birds Eye Maple is one of the more demanding hardwoods to work. The characteristic 'eyes' are formed by distorted grain, which makes clean planing particularly challenging and requires great care to avoid tear-out. The additional effort is rewarded by a surface of remarkable depth and subtle beauty.
The lift-off lid was deliberately kept simple. It locates precisely within the rim of the box and projects only slightly beyond the sides, allowing it to be lifted comfortably without finger grooves or hardware. This understated approach keeps the focus firmly on the timber itself.
The base is made from solid Hard Maple rather than plywood or a secondary timber. Besides complementing the colour of the lid, the pale maple reflects light within the box, creating a brighter interior, while its exceptional hardness ensures the base will withstand decades of use. Throughout the piece, every structural component is made from solid hardwood, reflecting my belief that heirloom boxes should be built to last for generations.
Each corner is reinforced with three Wenge splines. While splines significantly strengthen the mitred joints, they are also an opportunity for decoration. In this case I chose restraint. Wenge's deep chocolate-brown colour provides a subtle contrast without drawing attention away from the dialogue between the Leopard Wood and Birds Eye Maple.
Dimensions: 230 × 170 × 90 mm
Handcrafted in England from solid hardwood throughout.
