|
Top: This African bubinga table top meets our demanding standard to be called a Lumbergem™. It has an extra fine exhibition grade pomelle figure and either face makes an excellent "A" side..
The rolling figure seems to give the surface a three dimensional landscape beneath the expertly finished smooth garnet shellac surface. The unique grain flashes from various angles of view. From iridescent copper to violet-red.
Changing lighting from direct to ambient creates different special effects; evening lighting creating some of the most dramatic.
This is one of the finest bubinga specimens I have seen anywhere! The competition for musical instrument and veneer quality exotic wood makes it almost impossible to obtain in solid form like this.
The top measures 20" wide x 38" long x 7/8" thick. It is sealed with a substantial coat of garnet shellac and hand finished with a fine carnauba wax.
For those who want only the best, this is it.
Legs: The legs are made of South American cocobolo and exhibit a rich and colorful veining that ranges from orange to violet.
Apron: The dowel aprons are also cocobolo.
Lumbergem™ Furniture
What is a Lumbergem? Most wood used in furniture is fairly plain. There are exotic species, however, which display different color and grain than normally used in mass produced furniture.
Within these exotic species, there are a few truly exception slices that stand above the rest in figure, color, and sometimes shape when natural edges are involved. Only those really spectacular examples of various species make the grade to be called a Lumbergem.
I liken Lumbergems to the gemstone minerals such as lapis lazuli, picture jasper, and jade that I used to work with as a jewelry designer of 15 years. These natural materials usually came to me already beautified by a lapidary. Here, exotic wood furniture making requires me to apply lapidary principles to raw unique wood specimens.
What is Lumbergem furniture? A Lumbergem is used in its solid form, not as veneer facing. This creates special challenges for the furniture it goes into. The functional challenge is that it should remain indoors and in a relatively dry environment because wood expands and contracts as its cells expand and contract. This is why we don't recommend using solid wood in bathrooms for instance.
The design challenge is matching different pieces of wood in the same piece of furniture, a problem usually overcome by using sequential slices of veneer. In Lumbergem furniture, the harmonizing of features is done at a design level, not at the materials level.
What is the value of a Lumbergem? Like a fine gemstone a Lumbergem can be pulled out of its current furniture and be reset. It also has the thickness to be completely refinished many times so that the furniture itself can last forever. It is an investment in the very best of a rare earth material that can be passed on from generation to generation.
|
