The request: to create a multi-movement secret box, inspired by Japanese boxes, but with French-style marquetry.
Three movements reveal the secret drawer. A spring-loaded button, hidden under the veneer, then ejects it.
For the shape and marquetry, I drew inspiration from the traveling secretary attributed to Jean-François Oeben. The geometric shapes and colors are as close as possible to what this cabinetmaker might have used.
The box's structure is made of solid beech, with ash joints. The marquetry is composed of amaranth, green and blue-stained walnut, gray-stained maple, and boxwood stringing. The flowers are made of pear, maple, boxwood, orange and red padauk, blackened pear, and green-stained maple.
Regarding the choice of colours, I invite you to read this article: https://journals.openedition.org/crcv/13350
FYI: there are two more currently being manufactured!
Absolutely SUBLIME!
Well done and thank you for preserving these exceptional skills.