Shirley Smith, Tanglefoot (TABLES, CHAIRS & DESKS 2023)

Photos:

Shirley Smith

This coffee table is inspired by the unique Tasmanian Beech Nothofagus gunnii, better known as the Fagus (pronounced Fae-gus) or Tanglefoot. In the autumn the colour of the leaf with its small black fruit turns from vibrant green to yellow and bright red. The shape of the table reflects the crinkled leaf appearance and has chamfered edges with a set of tapered legs. Bridle joints on the tapered legs feature small tusks to represent the fruit of the Fagus. Blackwood bobbins secure the table top to leg frame. The spine and stem (leg) of the leaf is Figured Eucalyptus with Blackwood, Golden Sassafras, Tea Tree, Silver Wattle, Tassie Oak, Silky Oak, Macrocarpa, Celery Top and Myrtle forming the various segments of the leaf. A trivet of each wood as it appears on the surface of the table provides a sample of the timbers included. This bespoke table is 750mm in diameter, 25mm thick and 450mm tall.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.