Hand Carved Moldings
Hand Carved Moldings - A Recent History
The emergence of hand carved moldings is rather recent in American design centers. In general; wide crown moldings, narrow crown moldings, detail moldings and ribbon moldings have all been products of high speed molders. While uniformity has been elevated to the highest standards designers found the array of products to be rather mundane. Now, the emergence of "draw it we can carve it" moldings brings new opportunities for creating world class style in wood kitchen cabinetry.
Like machine made moldings, the hand carved moldings process usually starts with power tools to size the molding to uniform dimensions. Often the outside beads or ridges are shaped mechanically providing a setting for the artisan to begin his or her work. First the wood is fastened to the table using special wood clamps. Following careful securing of the piece the process of drawing out the pattern on the wood is started. Whether something as simple as basket weave or as complex and difficult as grape moldings, the carving master starts with stencils. These vary from simple pattern stencils to the more complex used to outline the location of the clusters stems and leaves. The carver, moving steadily from larger roughing gouges to smaller detail chisels, patiently exercises the craft. While patience is necessary, the movements are quick and precise. Tools are kept sharp and the activity involves executing the pattern cuts with precise motions of hands, arms and even torso. When the carving is completed, sanding is often done with a combination flat scraping and careful hand sanding with fine sand paper.
Early in 2005, acanthus leaf detail moldings were introduced along with grape moldings and classic moldings to American design centers. These hand carved moldings were distinctive from the machined products that have filled our lumber stores. Today we have moved from exact duplications to artistic creations. For the cabinetmaker, mitering hand carved grape moldings involves the art of hand sanding and the careful placement of the design elements. Even the hand carved basket weave moldings tell the story of careful craftsmanship as the miters are viewed. The result is more than execution, it is an art.
Many hand carved pieces express a story. Sometimes blending is the best approach to continuing a pattern, a theme. Other times fading the story creates a new chapter on a new surface. Joinery either carefully continues the story with its subtle nuances, or interrupts the story, enhancing the wood borne narrative. It is the hand carved moldings that moves a set of cabinets from sturdy boxes to the simple elegance reflecting the results of master craftsmen at work
