Undated

Shaker boxes

Finished objects

A set of bentwood storage boxes, shaped and assembled by hand with copper fasteners.

Role: Maker
Skills: Woodworking · Bentwood · Hand fabrication

01 / Problem

Learn a form by making it.

This study follows the traditional Shaker storage box through its oval form, overlapping fingers and nesting sizes. The work focuses on bentwood construction and handmade copper fasteners.

More detail to come.

Problem

Learn a form by making it.

This study follows the traditional Shaker storage box through its oval form, overlapping fingers and nesting sizes. The work focuses on bentwood construction and handmade copper fasteners.

Shaker boxes arranged beside thin timber strips and workshop materials. — The finished boxes alongside their raw materials.

Process

Make the fasteners as well as the form.

The timber was cut on a bandsaw. A jewellery saw shaped the fingers, and tapered edges formed the overlapping joints. Copper wire was hammered into a metal jig, then a hydraulic press formed the nail heads.

Prepared timber strips, shaped fingers and handmade copper nails for the Shaker boxes. — Preparing the joints and making the copper fasteners.

Challenges

Bend the timber without breaking it.

The side strips were soaked for a week, then steamed so they could bend around an oval form. Once the shape had set, copper nails held the sides in place. The lid bands followed the same process.

Boxes during assembly, showing curved timber sides, copper-fastened joints and oval bases. — Forming, fastening and fitting the nesting boxes.

Outcome

A nesting set in timber and copper.

The completed boxes nest inside one another. Sanding and varnishing finish the surfaces while leaving the timber grain, overlapping joints and copper fasteners visible.

Three completed oval Shaker boxes stacked in descending size. — The finished set.

Learning

What would you make differently next time?

Reflection to come.

Project notes & sources

Project dates and context are not yet confirmed.

Original portfolio, 2023 , opens in a new tab