Wood cradles and High chairs
Cherry spindle baby cradle
This wooden baby cradle is primarily black cherry which will darken with age. The trestle base features keyed through-tenons which provides tremendous stability, and allows the entire piece to be quickly and conveniently stored when not in use.
The baby cradle is specially designed to prevent an infant from rolling out of the cradle, though this type of cradle is not recommended for an infant who can roll or move about. Generally, cradles are for newborns. However, it is possible to incorporate into the cradle a device which limits the cradle's ability to rock.
Black walnut dowels and accents serve to focus attention on the hand-carved leaf at the head of the cradle.
This cradle rocks with almost no friction, gently and effortlessly on brass spindles at each end. The entire cradle can be lifted free of the lower stand and placed on the floor without disassembling the base. Notice the compound angles of the rail as it curves downward and upward.
Detail of carved black walnut leaf cluster on head of cradle
This cradle's maple pipe-stem style spindles have been stained and then rubbed for an antique quality look.
As with most of my custom furniture the majority of the joints are pinned mortise and tenons.
In black cherry with one large carving this baby cradle goes for between $1800-$2200. The many spindles angling into a multitude of curved surfaces makes this cradle more expensive. This certainly falls into the category of a family heirloom that will be passed down through the generations.
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Cherry high chair
My client commissioned two of these unusual high chairs (one of which is shown here) as reproductions from an heirloom original which had been made for her grandfather. The name on each high chair is hand-carved in an unusual Celtic font. Notice the carved swirling pattern in the top of the back legs and the faceting of the legs between the joints. The seat of the high chair is hand woven cane in a Carolina weave pattern.
Black cherry mortise and tenon construction pinned with square black walnut dowels provide tremendous strength and beauty.
One of these chairs cost $2800, depending upon the type of seat and amount of carving.
