ACADEMY TIMBERS

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Provenance worked with furniture artisans Kalle Fauset and Thomas Hucker on the Academy Timbers project, a limited edition collection of one-of-a-kind modern wood furnishings. Each piece was crafted from historic timbers salvaged from Philadelphia's Academy of Music during its recent renovation. Provenance provided the timbers, which once supported the Academy's roof, for Fauset and Hucker to craft these exquisite pieces.

From the Philadelphia City Paper, January 1-7, 2004:

The majority of the beams were 20 feet long and white pine, which Hucker describes as "kind of a country wood, full of knots and checks" -- normally a detriment to the work of furniture makers, but here it only benefited the work. In fact, much about the quality of the wood seems difficult: "It's very unusual, very dry, flaky, dents easily," says Hucker. "It's soft in parts, but then the knots are hard. It's full of old nails that need to be dug out. But the quality of the patina of the wood is phenomenal. It's extremely stable to work with."

From this, the two nationally known craftsmen created lamps, dining tables, mirrors, blanket chests, even cabinetry. "I think it's interesting because most furniture gallery shows are very polished and expensive. I don't think there's ever been a gallery show where the pieces are made of cracked and knotty pine," he says, laughing. The variety of designs in the show are surprising. "You'll see some pieces that look like barn siding next to huge masses of timber next to delicate pieces, next to something with a very classical element, like a claw-and-ball foot."

Ten percent of the proceeds from the show, which includes about 20 pieces, will be donated to the Academy's Restoration and Preservation Fund, to maintain the 147-year-old "Grand Old Lady of Locust Street.