Ornamental lathe work was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Because of the complexity and expense of the highly specialized machines,
ornamental lathe work was often called the "hobby of nobility".
Most ornamental lathe work was done with ivory (no longer an option today).
Very few of the original machines are in service today.
Most of the surviving machines are in museums (see photo on left).
Today, there is a renewed interest in ornamental lathe work.
With the newer materials available to us today,
one can build a simple machine that can make high quality work at a reasonable cost.
I built my first machine in 2008, and it gave me a foundation in the required skills to make a precision machine.
Now I'm using my second machine which I started in 2009 and I continue to make modifications and refinements.
In general, the work is held in a chuck and rotated at fairly slow speeds (less than 3 rpm).
The patterns are cut with a high speed cutter that is mounted on a stage that can be precisely positioned.
Although the machine rotates the work, it is the artist that determines where the cuts are to be made to make a pleasing pattern.
Ornamental work is very time consuming, and most pieces are small.
A single mistake can ruin an entire piece.
Often, one must make many "trial" pieces to develop a pleasing pattern.
Only certain very dense hardwoods can be used for ornamental turning.
Click on any thumbnail for a larger image.
Red Goblet
7.5" High
Bloodwood, African Blackwood, Sterling Silver
The exterior of this red goblet is decorated with sterling silver.
For information on the design of this piece, see the April 2014 issue of American Woodturner Magazine.
Note: this is not intended for actual use with liquids.
Suspended Eighth Note
9.5"W x 7"H
African Blackwood and Holly
The bulb of the eighth note is a box with a threaded joint that opens and is patterned inside.
The note hangs freely on a staff of brass rods (painted black).
Black and Silver Egg
4.25" High
African Blackwood, Maple, Brown Ivory wood, sterling silver
A wooden box in the shape of an egg.
The thin layers inside are cut through with an ornamental lathe to reveal a kaleidoscope pattern of colors.
The exterior of the egg is decorated with Sterling Silver, an old Russian faceted CZ stone on the top,
and a fresh water pearl on the bottom.
The base is hand made Sterling Silver filigree.
Egg with Silver Flowers
4" high
A wooden box in the shape of an egg.
30 individual silver flowers were cut on a Rose Engine and applied in the center of flowers cut into the wood.
The base is hand made Sterling Silver filigree.
Drink Me
6" High
African Blackwood
A vase with four sides that are somewhat rounded but not symmetrical.
Each side spirals slightly and has an additional ornamental band following the edge.
Faux Ivory Box
2" Diameter
A round box with threaded lid made from faux ivory (synthetic ivory).
The stone on the top is a black opal from Australia.
Tri-Layer Box
3.0" High
Katalox, Maple, Pink Ivory
Several thin layers are nested together on the outside of this box with a threaded lid.
The layers are pierced through with the ornamental lathe to reveal the pattern.
Contrast
2.5" Diameter
African Blackwood
A thin layer of African Blackwood on the interior has both sapwood and heartwood and is rotated relative to the outer layer of the same wood.
This piece was inspired by a piece done by Dale Chase (now deceased).
Layered Bowl
4" Diameter
Zircote, Holly, & Ebony
There are several thin layers of wood nested inside this bowl.
The layers are pierced through with the ornamental lathe to reveal the patterned petals of a flower.
This piece was chosen for the Walk in the Woods exhibition.
Layered Box
2.4" Diameter
Corrugata Burl, Katalox, European Pear
There are several thin layers of wood nested inside this box with a snug-fitting lid.
The layers are pierced through with the ornamental lathe to reveal the flower pattern.
Note Box
3" diameter x 2" high
African Blackwood, Holly, Fresh Water Pearl
A box with threaded lid.
Thin layers on the exterior are cut through with a piano keyboard pattern.
Sake Set
Decanter 4.3" high, cups 1.8" high
African Blackwood
Decanter with four small cups each having a different wave pattern cut on the ornamental lathe.
Note: this is not intended for actual use with liquids.
Swallow's Nest Castle
8" High
African Blackwood & Red Mallee Burl
This small castle is modeled after the main tower on the Swallow's Nest Castle in Crimea.
It was constructed from 14 separated pieces.
The main portions have threaded joints that can be dis-assembled.
Gazebo Box
6.5" High
African Blackwood & old Ivory
The windows of this delicate box are made from recycled piano key ivory (legal to buy and sell in the U.S.).
The lid is loosely fit and can be opened to reveal the interior decoration.
Cup Boxes
4.5" High
African Blackwood & Maple Burl
Boxes in the shape of a cup with loose fitting lids.
The finials have a thin layer of matching maple burl.
Umeke Group
3.4"H, 2.5"H, 3"H
Kiawe, False Kamani, Bottle Brush
A group of three Hawaiian Umekes.
The patterns are cut with an ornamental lathe.
Cryptex
6.7" High
African Blackwood, Bubinga, & Maple
By aligning the 5 code rings properly, the box opens.
It was inspired by the movie "The DaVinci Code".
The onion dome top is inspired by St. Basil's cathedral in Russia.
"Cricket Cage" Box
3.8" High
African Blackwood & Rosewood
This lidded box was inspired by the oriental cricket boxes.
It's actually a bit small for keeping a real cricket in.
The onion dome top is inspired by St. Basil's cathedral in Russia.
The top is loosely fit and easy to remove.
Pierced Box
2.5" High
Bubinga
A very delicate box with a snug-fitting lid.
The sides and top are about 0.060" thick.
"Spiral" Cube Box
2" High
African Blackwood
This lidded box is hollowed out round in the base with a snug-fitting lid.
The sides and top are decorated with a spiraling pattern.
"Rose Pattern" Cube Box
2" High
African Blackwood
This lidded box is hollowed out round in the base with a snug-fitting lid.
The sides and top are decorated with an 8-petal "rose" pattern.
"Pearl in an Oyster" Cube Box
2" High
African Blackwood
This lidded box is hollowed out round in the base with a snug-fitting lid.
The sides are decorated with a pattern resembling ripples in a pond.
The top adds a clam-shell pattern with a fresh water pearl.
Award Winning Egg Cup
5" High
African Blackwood & Red Mallee Burl
This Egg Cup won one of 4 awards at the Ornamental Turners International bi-annual symposium in September 2010.
The judges consisted of an international team of ornamental turning experts and art critics.
The features that attracted their attention was the over-all shape and balance,
the decoration on the screw-on lid, and the detail in the stem.
For more information on the awards, see the OTI Article by Albert LeCoff.
"Diamond" Box
2" Diameter
African Blackwood
With a loose-fitting lid, there is a small compartment inside for a "trinket".
This was made for my wife on Valentine's Day.
