Miles J Rice · CLIENT: Rice & Rice Fine Furniture
Sculpted and carved wood has been traditionally used to create decorative objects and sculptures. Oftentimes, these were later on gilded with gold leaf to create a more regal impression. Rice & Rice Fine Furniture´s Royal Collection combines these 2 crafts to create unique pieces of furniture that are decorative objects in their own right whilst being fully functional as pieces of furniture. The exclusive materials of 23.5-carat gold and American walnut hardwood are combined in 2 sculptural dining table designs. This collection is limited to 10 pieces per table design.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Royal collection takes the sculptural nature of the Sculptura and Chester dining tables further. Traditionally sculptures and architectural features were gold-gilded to display wealth and power. For the Royal Collection, this craft is brought to the residential furniture market. The carved wood of the table legs receives the same unique shine through gold-gilding. This limited edition, of 10 pieces per table design, showcases the skills of both, master carpenters and gold-gilders.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Sculptura Royal 2.9m (W) x 0.9m (D) x 0.75m (H), Chester Royal 1.5m (W) x 1.5m (D) x 0.75m (H) . Made from American walnut with gold-gilded legs (23.5-carat gold)
- Tags
- luxury, furniture, unique, art, design, sculpture, dining table, craftsmanship
- Production Technology
- Handmade pieces produced by Master Carpenters and Gold-Gilders. Made from high-quality American walnut hardwood in book-match technique for the tabletop with hand-sculpted wooden legs with a 23.5-carat gold leaf finish.
- Design Challenge
- The key challenge of this project is the high level of craftsmanship and time required to create these one-of-a-kind pieces. For the tabletops, the wood is hand picked to create an eye-pleasing book-matched tabletop. Additionally, the required size of wood for the tabletop to start from is rare as American walnut is usually not providing the required length and width. We believe that this challenge in sourcing is more than worth it considering the beauty of the gold-gilding against the richness of American walnut, also referred to as black walnut.
- Project Duration
- 5 months of crafting time. Made by master craftspeople in Germany and England
- Operation Flow
- These tables are first crafted by hand by master carpenters, presenting 2 very specific skills, the traditional book-matching technique for the tabletop and sculptural carving by hand for the table legs. Gold-gilding is applied through thin leaves of 23.5-carat gold in a multi-step process requiring the highest level of skill and dedication. The gilded object, the gilt, is produced by specialist craftspeople experienced in this traditional and rare decorative art.
- Research
- The key research aspect of the Royal Collection was to find the perfect technique to gild the table legs. The review of techniques showed that the traditional method of gold-gilding with thin leaves of gold, despite being more time-intensive and costly, is the most appropriate for this standout design. This technique in itself is a bow to high-quality craftsmanship, a vital part of the vision of Rice & Rice Fine Furniture.
- Inspiration
- Marrying the sculptural design of the Sculptura and Chester dining tables with a luxury craft used for the most precious sculptures and architectural features.
- Image Credits
- Copyright for all images: Miles J Rice
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