more about carved panels; plus video on layout
and another panel for sale
The other day I posted two carved panels for sale - one with an arch-design. That was a big hit, sold right off the bat, then several enquiries about it as well. So I’ve carved one more - and I’ll sell it following one of Chris Schwarz’s ideas - by a drawing…details toward the end of this post.
And I forgot to mention that I’ve added one more workshop for 2026 - this time just 3 days of carving - working in oak as usual. Carving a variety of patterns, the 3rd day is usually an involved panel. Could be like one of these. Details here (disregard that the link says it’s chairmaking - it’s carving) https://www.petergalbert.com/schedule/2020/7/13/make-a-chair-from-a-tree-with-peter-follansbee-8brcj-7b62n-xafjp-mglkm-lrd5m-swyzh-yj8my-95wld
I’ve made this post available to all subscribers - couldn’t decide where to stick the paywall, so skipped it. But it shows what many of the “full” posts contain…
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I thought that today we’d look at a few period carvings using this arch format. Like many of the pieces I copy/base my work on - these first few are from Devon and most of them come to me via Paul Fitzsimmons of Marhamchurch Antiques.
That arch & column design is what I was basing my work on - S-scrolls inside both the arch and columns. I don’t know the size of that panel - but can guess it’s around 10” wide, maybe a bit more. I changed the spandrel - that area in the corner outside the arch. And my S-scrolls this time are different as well. But the same idea - a flat border inside and outside the arch - then an ogee-shaped inner section with scalloped edges.
Here’s another panel from the same chest as the first - this time no S-scrolls
Next one - maybe the same carver/joiner, but a different chest. A detail from a photo someone gave me - now the leafy bits in the column are paired, not singles like above. Alternating lunettes across the arch. Same scalloped interior edge to the arch.
Leaving Devon - I found some through a web search. This one from a website for Reindeer Antiques - says it’s an East Anglian chest. A simple pattern, but lots of shaping, the arch & columns are beveled (or rounded) before cutting those details in.
Sometimes they’re built up by carving applied bits to form the arch/columns. I’ve lost track of this example - but its depth is worth noting. The blank part is the panel, all the rest - the arch/columns/bases and capitals are applied to come out flush with the surrounding framing.
An extreme example I saw with Bob Trent in East Hampton Long Island one time has very deep work like this - its construction has the panel (the part with the tree/flower) applied inside. The arch fits in the framework. (the column/base/capital on our left is replaced).
A pulpit in St. Andrew’s Church in Great Durnford, Wiltshire - really nice carving in a really horrible oak panel. There’s several of these panels around the pulpit, one with the carved date 1619.
After several people responded to that first arch panel I carved, I did a second one a couple of days ago - both based on the Devon work. Both use S-scrolls to fill the arch - with flowers inside.
As I said, I’ll try Chris’s method - the panel is about 13” x 18”, quartersawn red oak. Linseed oil finish. Price is $625 including shipping in the US. ($648 through paypal) - I’ll put names in a hat and draw one - so if you’re interested in buying it, send an email by the end of Wednesday Feb 18. Thursday morning I’ll pluck a name out of the hat… email is PeterFollansbee7@gmail.com
I have one more piece of that wood - so aim to take another stab at one in a week or so. Some other stuff in the works and some stuff to come out of the loft to sell too…
Here’s a video about how I draw/compose an arch design like this.
And just a friendly reminder, this panel is still available.
Quartersawn white oak, linseed oil finish. 11 7/8” x 17” - $625 including shipping in US. If inclined, send an email to PeterFollansbee7@gmail.com - Payment by check is best, but I can send a paypal invoice if you prefer - for $648.
Thank you for the detailed information and especially the video! What a lovely lay out