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THE LONE BISON DESK
A TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY
The majestic American Bison once ruled the plains of North America. Hundreds of thousands of animals would wander the plains - taking days to pass by. Gigantic herds were said to be over twenty miles wide and fifty miles long. What an stupendous sight and sound that must have been! But by the late 1800's man had managed to slaughter over a quarter-million bison a year, and by the early 1900's, bison were protected from hunting. Small herds were established on public lands, such as Yellowstone National Park.
The Lone Bison desk and chair set was created by artisan, Brad Greenwood, to symbolize the magnificent presence one lone buffalo can have upon a man's soul. His wife, Lorraine agrees, and adds, "What stirs up a person's emotions is knowing that a creature this immense no longer has the freedom
to roam the prairies in vast and wild herds. It's a reminder of the devastation man can bring about when led by selfish desire."
Greenwood's choice of interesting hardwoods, natural form, and classic design are brilliantly united in a furniture masterpiece that is both pleasing to the eye and romantic to the heart. This desk evokes the quintessence of days gone by. It is built with the same old-school workmanship and attention to detail as can be found in sturdy antiques from yesteryear. Everything is done to perfection - the carving is beautifully rendered, the woods skillfully joined with exposed joints and expert inlays, and the quality of workmanship is masterful.
Brad's pieces often include a bit of whimsy and fun, and this desk set is no exception. Look for the swinging tail on the cut copper bison silhouette, and the two secret compartments. Discover the buffalo nickels inlaid upon the chair and the desk, or the old glass insulator light. Or just sit and relax in the comfortable and extremely strong Windsor style chair created especially for the desk. The oak sapling round back supports were bent and pulled taut with rope around large firewood rounds while they were still
green. Brad left them drying this way for a few weeks to obtain their shape prior to completing the chair.
Wood can be gathered and worked more easily once cut into boards, but the real story of a tree is found in the natural form and inconsistencies that are seen in wood left close to its natural state. Artisan, Brad Greenwood enlivens once more, the trees that he chooses to build his furniture from. His art form brings new life to old trees.
Materials: Heritage oak, English walnut, black walnut, elm, sycamore, madrone burl, eucalyptus, copper, rawhide, telegraph wire, iron, antique insulator
Dimensions: Desk - 52"W x 32"D x 50"H
Chair - 23"W x 19"D x 38"H
Note: This set was introduced at the National Museum of Wildlife Art -"Miniatures and More Show", Sept. 2003 (Jackson, WY). It is currently represented at the Trailside Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming. |
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