Peter Shepard

The “Kahn” table–originally–was commissioned to fill a need which was to provide a platform to display a prized collection of pots. In many ways, the “filling needs” part of the commission is true of much of my work. Many projects share that as a useful starting point.

The table is based along the lines of a familiar model–the trestle table, which to my eye is mostly a utilitarian thing: robust, long lasting, upliftingly peasant. But some elements of the table could be done differently. For example,
the elements that frame this piece, the top, the beams underneath the top, and the “feet” all end in curves of slightly differing radii. The effect overall is to give the piece a less heavy, blocky feel, and a visually more interesting look.

Where the piece really departs from tradition is in the stretcher, placed at the bottom of the piece, rather than the middle. The differing radii of the top and bottom curves are meant to convey a certain amount of tension between the two sides. The stretcher is there to prevent imminent collapse! Well, no, not really, it doesn’t do much structurally at all. But I like the way the stretcher helps to frame the piece. The two ebony blocks give it more importance than it actually merits, but they serve, in a way, as an anchor to the interior space.

Bubinga is a tropical hardwood from equatorial Africa. It changes very little in color over time, and because it is dense, hard, and heavy, it is an excellent candidate for pieces that are likely to see a lot of use. The ribbony stripes on the top are the result of quarter sawing the log--nearly always the best way to get figure from bubinga.

Peter Shepard lives in Harvard, Massachusetts. He began making furniture, after a career in book publishing, in the early nineties. His work has been shown at prestigious craft shows such as the Smithsonian, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Washington Craft show and many others as well over the years. His pieces have likewise been featured in magazines such as Fine Woodworking, American Craft, and Home Furniture, and galleries such as the Society of Arts and Crafts, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, and Pritam and Eames. He has taught during summers at the Center For Furniture Craftsmanship since 2005.

petershepardfurniture.com