Furniture Maker: Christopher Maier

Nearly 20 years ago the former shop teacher began making pieces of his own design and found that he was inspired by ancient and medieval periods. His headboard, for example, which was designed to resemble priestly vestments, reflects that medieval influence.

He achieves the effect of soft folds by using the sharp blade of a table saw, a hand planer, and hand gouges.

History Nuggets

• Most of the furniture produced in the 14th and 15th centuries was constructed so that it could be transported from place to place. Even a wealthy nobleman who owned more than one home usually had only one set of furnishings. Whenever he went to another residence, so did the furniture.

• The religious houses were an exception to this as the faithful enjoyed a more secure lifestyle than the average person.

• Some of the best furniture of this period was therefore made for use in churches and monasteries, and many of the ideas and developments, such as lecterns and desks , later influenced domestic comfort throughout Europe.