Registration open for August 2023 class

Carving in the Newport Style

Learn the hallmark elements of this prized colonial style

Some of the most highly prized furniture by today’s collectors and museums was built in Newport, Rhode Island in the second half of the 18th century. Wealthy families commissioned elegantly proportioned and embellished pieces from the Townsend and Goddard families as well as other skilled Rhode Island craftsmen. There’s a great reward in challenging yourself as a craftsperson and recreating one or more of these iconic works. In this class I will pass on the basic processes and tricks I’ve learned in making nearly 30 Newport pieces over the years. We will cover the hallmark Newport elements: concave and convex shells, ball and claw and bracket feet and the Egyptian-like sparse knee carving seen nowhere else in colonial America. This class is a must for anyone interested in this great regional style. The How to Use Carving Tools and/or Ball and Claw Carving classes would be helpful but not necessary as preparation for this class.

Newport Style Carving - Ball and Claw, Carved Knee

2023 Class Schedule

Date

August 7-11, 2023

Class Time

8 am – 5:30 pm

Type

Five-Day Course

Skill Level

Intermediate

Tuition

$1,200
($300 deposit due upon registration, balance due on first day of class)

School Information

View Class Policies

Register for August 2023 Class

Tool List

  • #49 rasp, cabinet scrapers like Lie-Nielsen hand scraper set, dividers like Lee Valley 05N20.01, low angle block plane like Veritas 01, 05P22.51, a spokeshave like Woodjoy 2″ performance spokeshave
  • Carving tools 1-3, *1-8, 1½″ paring chisel, ¼″ same
  • *3-8, *3-12 fishtail, 3-16, 3-25, 3-30
  • 5-5, *5-12, 5-20, 5-25, 5-35
  • 7-8, 7-20
  • *8-4, *8-10, 8-11, 8-13, 8-16
  • 9-3, *9-10, 9-13, 9-5 fishtail
  • 11-2, *11-3, 11-7, 11-10
  • 12-3 bent (12A-3), *12-8
  • backbent gouges 25-3, 25-6, 25-6, 25-10, 28-10

10% Off Lie-Nielsen Tools

Lie-Nielsen will give a 10% discount on any tools purchased by students for a class. This only applies to tools they make, not other brands that they carry.