For a lack of other surviving desks that can be attributed to John Head’s shop, we have no way of knowing if the writing compartment is typical of his work. More or less elaborate interiors may account for some part of the range of prices Head charged for desks. Along the back at the center … Continue reading “To a Walnut Dask”, Part II, The Writing Compartment.
Woodworking
John Head his Book of Accounts
In advance of the book launch tonight at the American Philosophical Society, the APS has finalized the John Head's account book digitization project. It is now available for all to view online. We can't thank the APS enough for their effort. https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/john-head-account-book-1718-1753#page/1/mode/1up More news is that the APS will be live streaming the event tonight … Continue reading John Head his Book of Accounts
Jackson in Miami
The Moderne Gallery of Philadelphia is exhibiting at Design Miami and the gallery is including Daniel Jackson's (October 18, 1938- August 3, 1995) "Rocking Unicorn" in their booth. I wrote about the rocker a year ago here. It had recently arrived at the Moderne Gallery, coincidentally, from an estate in Florida. At the gallery, … Continue reading Jackson in Miami
Dealing with Drawers
In January 2009, Christie’s, New York, sold a small spice box described in their catalogue as a Chippendale Walnut Spice Cabinet, Probably Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1740-1780. Christie’s was not familiar with aspects of design and construction that could be found in work documented to John Head’s shop and missed an opportunity to attribute the spice … Continue reading Dealing with Drawers
Boxes in Boxes
John Head and his journeymen and apprentices knew how to make boxes. They made scores and scores of boxes; carcases of chest on chests, high chests and dressing tables, spice boxes, desks, 4-tier chests of drawers, and the drawers they contained. Hundreds of "boxes" were produced by joiners in the Head shop from the end … Continue reading Boxes in Boxes
In Proportion to the Trouble 