Ken Richards The Art of Fine Furniture

Sculpted drawer front is capped by an Ebony carving. Carvings are also set into corners of the desk door. Pendant style drawer pull is carved from Ebony, and mounted to post and plate fabricated from solid Sterling Silver.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured Mahogany, Amboyna Burl, Sterling Silver	$125,000

A traditional Secretary consists of a lower chest of drawers, middle fall front desk, and upper bookcase. They are considered by many to be the highpoint in the art of furniture making. Creating a piece that brought my contemporary aesthetic to this traditional form is a challenge I looked forward to for many years. When I received a commission for just such a piece, I couldn’t resist – I had to do two.

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(or link above) to see the Mahogany Secretary.

I had a large log of Figured European Pear in my lumber collection. My customer chose that as the main material for his. Ebony was the obvious choice as an accent material. I also had some special Figured African Mahogany in stock and decided to use it for the second piece, accenting the Mahogany with Amboyna Burl – one of my favorites. Both pieces are trimmed with Sterling Silver hardware that was clear coated to prevent tarnishing.

The Secretaries stand close to 9’ tall, and are filled with small drawers, pigeon holes, detail carvings, and secret compartments. Much of the 3,000 hours put into each of them was spent on fine detail work. I think they are a good example of what can be achieved when you set out to do something really special. The biggest problem is deciding whether to display them with the doors closed – or open.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000

Fine Ebony beading trims inside edges of the door frames. Small carvings are set into the corners. Door pulls are Ebony pendants with Sterling Silver posts and plates.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000

Ebony columns are set into corners of the cabinet. Arched arms support Ebony finials. Ebony carving is mounted to the cabinet, above the center door.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000

Desk interior – center door is opened with a trick latch mechanism. The door is flanked by Ebony columns and pigeon holes which are trimmed with Ebony and capped with Ebony carvings.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000

Interior drawer fronts all have curved, shaped surfaces. They are trimmed with Ebony beading, moldings, and pulls. Interior cabinet framework is all dovetailed.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000

Upper cabinet interior - Ebony vases flank a compartment with sliding doors. Above – 4 more vases flank two banks of pigeon holes. Drawers and pigeon holes are all shaped and trimmed similar to the desk interior.

Secretary	44" W x 104" H x 25" D
Figured European Pear, Ebony, Sterling Silver	$125,000