Popular Woodworking 2007-10 № 164, страница 59
Ruhlmann-style Poker Table E mile-Jacques Ruhlmann was one of the finest designers of the Art Deco period. In the 1920s, he designed and produced many memorable pieces of furniture as well as other items for the interiors of the wealthy. Many of his pieces combine dark wood, such as walnut, with metal. He is best known for inlaid cabinets and most of his designs incorporate elegant and subtle curves. BY FRANK KLAUSZ The Metropolitan Museum of Art had an exhibition of Ruhlmann's work in the summer of 2004. I went to the show to see this magnificent work, and shortly afterward I received a call from architect Donato Maselli, whom I often work with. He had visited the show with master craftsman Frank Pollaro. Pollaro is an expert on the work of Ruhlmann, and has made many Leather, walnut and attention to detail. Drawers within the apron hold supplies and beverages. faithul and intricate reproductions. His web site is a wonderful resource for information on Ruhlmann's work. (Editor's note: Links to the Metropolitan Museum exhibition and Frank Pollaro's web site are available online at popularwoodworking.com/oct07.) Donato asked to come by my shop with a client who was looking to have a poker table made in the Ruhlmann style. I have a Ruhl-mann-style barstool in my showroom that has a steel ring piercing the legs. We all liked that detail, and wanted to incorporate it in the poker table. On the original Ruhlmann stool, the ring is attached to the legs with flanges. The pierced legs look cleaner than the original. This made the table more difficult to build, but for cabinetmakers like us, the more complicated the idea, the more we like it. We get paid for doing the difficulties; that is our specialty. The three of us worked out the details, then the architect made some sketches and returned with finished drawings. After a few rounds of this, we settled on the final design. The table is 48" in diameter with a leather top surrounded by a 23A" band of walnut. ALL PHOTOS BY AL PARRISH UNLESS CREDITED OTHERWISE; ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARY JANE FAVORITE popularwoodworking.com ■ 73 |
