About this piece

Every piece of timber has its own character. Some command attention through dramatic colour or bold figure, while others reward closer inspection.

For this box I wanted to combine two timbers that complement rather than compete with one another.
The body is made from carefully selected Curly Maple. Unlike highly figured burrs or burls, Curly Maple reveals itself as the light moves across its surface. The rippling grain catches the light from different angles, giving the wood a subtle sense of movement that photographs rarely capture completely. It is a timber that invites you to pick the box up and turn it in your hands.  It is an extremely challenging wood to work with, due to the tortured grain pattern, which is only tamable with the sharpest tools.

The lid is built around a floating solid Walnut panel framed by Curly Maple. The walnut is not glued into the frame, allowing it to respond naturally to seasonal changes in humidity without placing stress on the surrounding timber. Small concealed rubber spacers keep the panel centred within the frame while still allowing it to move freely. It is a detail that is never seen by the owner, but one that helps ensure the box will continue to function beautifully for many years.
The lid and the base of the box were both resawn from the same board of Walnut, preserving a visual relationship between the top and the interior. It is a small detail, but one that reflects my belief that every part of a box deserves the same level of consideration as the surfaces that are immediately visible.

The corners are joined with mitres reinforced by hand-fitted Walnut splines. These are structural rather than decorative, locking the joints together while providing a subtle visual accent. Rather than choosing a highly contrasting timber, I selected dark Walnut so that the eye remains focused on the relationship between the maple and the walnut.

Opening the lid reveals perhaps the greatest surprise of the piece. The interior is lined with Purpleheart, a naturally vibrant hardwood whose rich violet tones transform what would otherwise be a quiet interior into something unexpected. As the lid is lifted, the owner experiences a moment of contrast between the calm exterior and the vivid colour within. It is intended to be discovered rather than announced.

A small hand-shaped Ebony toggle provides a simple means of lifting the lid. Its purpose is entirely practical, but its dark colour quietly echoes the walnut and reinforces the restrained palette of the box.

Like every Grey Oak Workshop piece, this box is constructed entirely from solid hardwood. There are no veneers, plywood panels or manufactured components hidden beneath the surface. Every visible and invisible part has been chosen with longevity in mind, with the intention that the box should be enjoyed for generations rather than years.

I have shown photographs of the box both with, and without, the Purple Heart lining should the pure Curly Maple be preferable.

Dimensions
258 × 157 × 100 mm

Piece Number : GW-KB-0053