Master Class Series 

Portsmouth Card Table

Instructor: Mario Rodriguez
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (day)
Maximum Class Size: Approximately 12

Furniture of the Federal period is considered a high-point of American decorative arts.  Historically, this was a period of independence and promise for our young country; and this freedom was often represented by exuberant and novel designs in architecture and furniture.

Today, the card table has come to epitomize the best of Federal furniture. This elegant and practical piece provides multiple challenges for the woodworker. After making the individual table parts, which is difficult enough, they are decorated with veneers, inlays, borders, and stringing.  This elegant and practical piece creates several hurdles for the woodworker.

The demi-lune card table, measuring 18”x36” (when closed), is decorated in the “Portsmouth” style; dark mahogany fields are highlighted by contrasting birds-eye oval panels; then punctuated with lively and distinctive bandings.  The tapered legs are adorned with a delicate inlaid pattern of stringing that frames a festoon of shaded bellflowers.

The table is constructed in a true period manner.  The apron is “bricklaid” from scrap poplar, then cut to a curve.  The legs are solid mahogany, attached to swinging rails by mortise and tenon joints at the rear of the table, and with bridle joints to the curved apron.  The upper and lower tops are cut from choice solid mahogany; then the edges are carefully highlighted by contrasting stringing.

The completed table will represent an uncommon level of skill and hard work. This is a demanding endeavor, requiring careful effort at each of the five Master Class sessions and diligent work in the home shop.  However, rest assured that students will receive the instruction and support needed to complete the project. 

PFW recommends, but does not require, that students consider taking one or more of the following courses in preparation for this exciting project.

:

Techniques in Veneering - Sept. 18-19, 2010

Inlay, Banding, and Stringing - October 30-31, 2010

Federal Period Leg - November 13-14, 2010

Course fee - $1600

Materials and hardware - $460

In order to register, please call us at 215-849-5174, or drop us an email and we will forward the registration materials.

Classes:

• January 22-23, 2011
• February 26-27, 2011
• March 26-27, 2011
• April 30 - May 1, 2011
• June 4-5, 2011