This three-in-one volume combines a trio of hard-to-find classics on artisanal woodworking techniques and designs. Professional and amateur woodworkers will find it a treasure trove of projects involving buhl work (creating cabinetry using metal inlays), marquetry (pieces adorned with colored wood, shells, and ivory), and fretwork (low-relief or cut-out decorative designs).
Filled with practical instructions, helpful diagrams, and illustrations of finished projects, this manual presents time-tested techniques that remain valid for modern woodworkers—only the tools differ. A Victorian-era expert on woodworking, ceramics, and decorative arts, author William Bemrose offers tips on choosing the right wood, staining and polishing, and engraving. His projects range from undertakings as small as picture frames, book rests, and letter racks to such ambitious endeavors as bookshelves, chests, cabinets, and screens. A source of useful methods, this book also serves as a wellspring of design inspiration.