The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING
ALTAR-TABLES
Altar-tables can take several forms. At their simplest they need be no more than a solid slab of prime wood resting on two rectangular columns of stone, brick or wood; or they could be just the very simplest of tables draped with cloth or with side curtains. Alternatively, they may be complete box forms with all four faces elaborately moulded or carved.
ALTAR-RAILS
These are wide in section and assembled on site, using handrail screws (507:4) to connect the lengths. Figure 507:1 gives the elevation, 507:2 the plan, 507:3 a cross-section of the uprights tenoned in, and 507:4 the handrail and base rail. Sweeps are cut from the solid as the sections are usually sturdy enough to support the short grain on the curve.
LITANY DESK
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510 Litany desk in brown oak with hinged kneelers designed by Ernest Joyce MSIA. Author's workshops |
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511 Simple litany desk for Bullwood Borstal Institute Church. England. |
A litany desk with fixed kneeler is shown in 508, while 509 gives a side elevation of the desk illustrated in 510, with a collapsible kneeler upholstered with foam rubber on a plywood base and covered with cowhide. This memorial desk 2 ft 6 in (76 cm) wide, 1 ft 51/2 in (44 cm) deep and 3 ft (91 cm) high was made at the request of a client who asked for a primrose and ivy carved decoration to be incorporated for remembrance. Details of the St Mark's lion are shown in 509. As the central aisle of the church was fairly narrow the lectern was fitted with hidden ball-type castors so that it could be wheeled to a side aisle when not in use.
512 Oak litany desk with pull-out kneeler. Designed by Ernest Joyce MSIA. Author's workshops
513 Fine letter cutting in ash by Ronald Parsons FSD-C
Construction was in natural brown oak of outstanding hue, polished with hard (carnauba) wax polish to preserve the great beauty of the wood.
