I haven’t built a four-stick chair for a long time. Not because I don’t like the form, but because I have been focused on chairs from “The Stick Chair Book.”
But as I sorted through the load of beautiful bog oak I got from fellow woodworker Andy Brownell, I realized something. I could squeeze two chairs out of the material. But barely. So thanks to some creative cutting I wound up with parts for both a six-stick chair and (squeakily) a four-stick chair.
Because I was unsure about the material (its stability, strength, color), I decided to begin by building a chair form I could make while sleeping.
This four-stick chair is made from bog oak that is between 2,000 and 4,000 years old that was excavated in Poland. The seat is 16-3/4” off the floor. The back sticks lean 15° off the seat. And the seat is pitched back two fingers off level. So this chair is very nice for both dining and relaxing – a tough wire to walk.
All the wood is cut from one log, but the color and texture varies throughout all the parts. As a result, the surface finish was a huge challenge. No matter how much effort I threw at getting perfect surfaces, some areas just refused to cooperate (such as the front tenon on the left hand). So there are small areas of this chair that are imperfect, though the form as a whole is completely sound.
The wood is stunning – almost impossible to capture in photographs. It varies from a dusty charcoal to an English brown oak to areas that have a faint olive cast to them. I’ve spent about an hour just taking in the colors on the chair’s surfaces.
All the joints are assembled with hide glue, which is easily repairable by future generations. The finish is a beeswax and linseed oil blend, which is free of toxic solvents and is also easily repairable.
I’m selling this chair via a silent auction. To bid, send an email to lapdrawing@lostartpress.com before 3 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, March 9. In the email, please include your name, your shipping address, your phone number (this is used for a trucking quote only) and your bid. There is no minimum bid, and the highest bid wins. The winner will be contacted on Wednesday after the auction closes.
On shipping: You can pick up the chair at our storefront, or I will deliver it for free within 100 miles of Cincinnati. Otherwise, I can ship it via common carrier to addresses in the continental U.S. This usually costs between $200 and $300, depending on where you live.
— Christopher Schwarz
Chris,
That is an absolutely gorgeous chair, every which way! So simple a look, which may actually be the trickiest proposition of ’em all to pull off, so comensurate kudos to you for absolutely nailing it. (OK. Wedging it.)
Zowie!
Mattias
No way i have the cash for this beautiful chair!! I’d love some cast off scrap just to have a piece of 2000 year old would in a project!!
That thing is insanely beautiful.I love the toolmarks.
Lovely.
The rich color here and the provenance is really an heirloom piece. I think you mentioned previously that you were making two. I sure hope the other one stays in your family somewhere.
nice. love the look of the wood.
Chris, this chair is stunning. You really let the materials speak for itself.
A phone number for shipping applies only to those with land lines, and those who never travel. I have friends in Ohio with area codes from Hawaii. Just a thought.
We can’t get a shipping quote without a phone number so the trucking company can call you and say: You crate is here. This has nothing to do with land lines or area codes.
Really nice job! Beautiful chair.
Just stunning!
Wow, the wood is beautiful! The wax sure adds a nice sheen to the finish. As always, a really good looking chair!
That chair is absolutely beautiful. Please post the final sale price if you can. I got’s to know!
That’s a lovely chair.
The only thing that surprises me about it is the rich brown of the oak. I’d always understood that bog oak was more or less pitch black.
You learn something every day.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the color of bog oak including the level of tannic acid in the wood, the chemical make up and the levels of Fe (iron) in the bog, and how long the wood has been submerged.
The pieces I have with lots of brown colouring in them all generally carbon dated to about 2,000-2,500 years old. The pieces I have that are almost jet black are carbon dated to around 4,500-5,000 years old.
I knew you could answer this question with authority. Thanks Ethan!
Chris, gorgeous chair.
Swear word stunning .
You outta do a little post about making your shipping crates. I’ve a few different types. It would be an interesting write up.
I’ve written one soon to post on the finewoodworking.com blog.
Can’t believe you’re willing to part with this. Great chair.