Five Legged Demilune Table

"Demi-lune" is French for half-moon. In this case it describes a half-moon shaped table with a flat back, allowing it to placed flush against a wall.. It's an elegant and space-saving alternative to traditional console tables, often used in hallways or other narrow spaces.

Shop Class's lead instructor, Joe Clay, selected sycamore for this project. American Sycamore, platanus occidentalis, is primarily found in the eastern US is one of many species of sycamore. It is a hardwood with a tight interlocking grain. While it works much like maple, the grain makes the use of hand tools challenging. Sharp tools are mandatory to prevent tear out.

By placing book-matched pieces adjacent to each other in a radial pattern, Joe was able to use the grain to produce a shading effect emphasizing the half-moon.

Inlayed ebony banding contrasts with the light colored sycamore adding an elegant touch. Also note the plugs or bungs. Having been trained as a shipwright, perfect bungs are a hallmark of Joe's work.

This table has already found its home. It was purchased by one of Joe's students at Shop Class. However, we expect to see more examples of fine furniture from Joe's shop as he pivots from working on boats to furniture building.