Following upon the success of their first book, The Queen Anne Stool, Tom Heller and Ron Clarkson decided to offer a book about building one of the most desirable pieces of American furniture: the piecrust tea table. This tilting top table has the high elegance of eighteenth century design. The top has a beautifully sculpted molding, resting upon an open-styled birdcage. This rotates on a finely contoured and turned pillar adorned at the vase with acanthus leaves, balancing on a delicate ring of pearls which end in a ribbon and flower design. The cabriole legs are adorned with acanthus leaves at the knees and end in a strongly taloned ball and claw foot.
Every step, from cutting and turning to carving and finishing, is explained in step-by-step photographs. These are accompanied with by concise descriptions of the techniques involved.
While requiring some basic woodworking skills, this book is designed for cabinet makers and carvers of all levels of experience, so they may produce this treasure of furniture for themselves.