ARTcnet Presents American craftsman Thomas Neely

Thomas Neely

hand-crafted wood furniture
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Thomas Neely resume
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ARTcnet.com Fine Art Gallery Presents Thomas Neely Custom Wood Furniture
People who haven't seen my work ask me what my style is. I like to respond that I have no style. As a cabinet maker, I believe that each piece has to balance the need for function, durability, and the limits of the material. Furniture has to fit the aesthetic and the habit of the client, and finally it has to be pleasing to my eye: it has to have its own style.

I love to hear that a piece is balanced. That though it is unique if observed on its own against a plain back- drop, it performs its function with grace and humility in the real world. Furniture is our servant. If we can from time to time appreciate it, it civilizes us.

I am most interested in what the furniture we build and the furniture we buy says about our present culture. The plain functionality of Shaker furniture bespoke the ideals of the people who made and used it. Federalism appealed to the fresh enthusiasm of the new American state.

What do we celebrate today? What new furniture do we buy? I hope it is furniture that celebrates our new freedoms of communication, movement, and freedom FROM tradition. At the Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show I saw skilled cabinet makers finding innovative solutions to old problems. Bookshelves leaned back and to the side, perhaps assymmetrically, but the books lay gently to the side without ever needing bookends. How do you build a table? How do you build a chair? I do it with my hands but with my eyes looking out the window. Figuratively, of course.

December, 1998

Future Antiques Wood Furniture

Please click on furniture for enlargements and details

Please click for Thomas Neely Commissions
New Commission: Portable Torah Ark, Adath Israel Synagogue, 2001

New Works by Thomas Neely

 
Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Litman table
$1,500.00
Litman side table; Mahogany with cherry and walnut details; 18"H x 24"L x l6"W; Rack ears hold remotes and cell phones; one in stock.
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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Blanket Trunk with drawer
$1,000.00 $900.00 On Sale!
Blanket trunk with drawer; Mahogany; 20"H x 28"L x l9l"W; Danish oil, shellac, and clear varnish finish. One in stock.
Sale


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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Magazine and Newspaper Rack
$700.00 $499.00 On Sale!
Magazine and newspaper rack. Mahogany; Danish oil, shellac, and clear varnish finish; 24"H x 2O"L x l2"W; three in stock.
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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Magazine and Newspaper Rack II
$700.00 $499.00 On Sale!
Another look at the Magazine and newspaper rack. Mahogany; Danish oil, shellac, and clear varnish finish; 24"H x 2O"L x l2"W; three in stock
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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Round Drop Leaf Table
$1,300.00
Round drop leaf table; Cherry; Danish oil, shellac, and clear varnish finish; 36"H x 48"L x 24"W
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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Gazelle table
$900.00
Gazelle table; Mahogany; 20"H x 6O"L x l6"W; Oil and wax finish; one in stock.
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Thomas Neely Future Antiques Furniture: Tall Wack Table
$900.00
Tall wack table (two pictured).; Mahogany; 50"H x l8"L x l8"W; Collapsible; Danish oil, shellac, and clear varnish finish; two in stock.
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Portable Torah Ark
Torah_Ark_closed_small.jpg (19662 bytes) Torah_Ark_open_small.jpg (22019 bytes) Torah_Ark_right_small.jpg (17633 bytes)
Portable Torah Ark
Commission, Adath Israel Synagogue, 2001, Lower Merion Township Pennsylvania
Height:12' (144"); Width:75" + 18" handles = 93"; Depth:29"; Weight: Heavy; Materials: Maple wood, bubinga wood, velvet. Please contact Phyllis Zemble for information about your Thomas Neely commission.  Call U.S. toll-free 877.949.9488; fax 610.949.9488.
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