STEPHAN WOODWORKING

Awards and sports collectibles often are somewhat smaller than other objects that might be presented on a display stand, so the stands in the following picture are of a size to give more prominence to an object on a desk, credenza or bookshelf. The stands, in decreasing height, are a pommele sapele veneered stand (11" x 11" x 30" tall), a fiddleback mahogany veneered stand (8" x 8" x 16"), a walnut burl veneered stand (7 5/16" x 7 5/16" x 12"), and a myrtle burl veneered stand (6" x 6" x 12"). As well as the color and figure of the veneer, the shape and dimensions of a stand can be designed to best match the size and proportions of the displayed object.

SQUARE BUTTON LACEWOOD SIDES, DIAMOND MATCHED QUARTERSAWN MAHOGANY TOP

Lacewood is an African wood, button is a type of veneer figure typically associated with it. The veneer, while active with its three dimensional look, has a brown tone that works with many different objects. The top, more visible in the picture of sample display stand tops, has a strong framing property. Neither the glove nor the fifty-something woodworker who used it were famous.

SQUARE FIDDLEBACK MAHOGANY SIDES, REVERSE DIAMOND FIDDLEBACK MAHOGANY TOP

The fiddleback figure offers a primary vertical direction from the wood grain and a secondary horizontal pattern from the curl. The movement and light-dark contrast complement especially well the monotone dark object on display. Some time after the photo was made, it was learned that the helmet in fact was worn by a World War II turret gunner and not an early football player. The top of the stand does not have a clear direction, with the forty-five degree reverse diamond seams and competition between the wood grain and curl; it is not a problem here because the helmet covers most of the top.

SMALL SQUARE WALNUT BURL SIDES, BOOK MATCHED WALNUT VENEER TOP

An application of linseed oil gives the walnut burl a rich dark appearance that will not compete with any displayed object. A single piece walnut burl top provides an attractive, consistent background for the object, here a contest award.

SMALL SQUARE MYRTLE BURL SIDES AND TOP

Some objects benefit from a much lighter display stand, such as this baseball. A collectible autographed baseball would be lost on a busy office tabletop or bookshelf; elevating it on an attractively figured stand gives it the deserved prominence without competing with it for attention.