I’m a furniture junkie.

Recently I had the opportunity to feed my habit when I previewed and photographed a select number of pieces to be sold at the annual auction of the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association. The furniture was on exhibit in the stately headquarters of the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord.

Based on what I had seen in previous auction catalogs, I had high expectations. But I wasn’t fully prepared for the jaw-dropping display of craftsmanship, ranging from whimsical, sculptural art furniture to more familiar classical forms. The photos below will give you a taste.

The Furniture Masters Association has been around since 1995 (an earlier FWW article referred to the organization as a breeding ground for furniture makers). Members work together to cultivate a climate of creativity and fine craftsmanship, with the goal of creating handcrafted pieces that will last generations. They meet regularly to share knowledge and experiences, and they offer educational initiatives, such as a prison outreach program and a studio-based learning program, both of which offer opportunities to learn woodworking from those who do it for a living.

This year’s auction, “Art Unfolding: New Works by New Hampshire Furniture Masters,” takes place Oct. 21 at the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel in New Castle, NH. For details about the auction or to discover more about each member of the Furniture Masters Association, go to their web site.

–Tom McKenna is an associate editor of Fine Woodworking magazine.

  

Center Table by David Lamb, 35 in. dia. by 31 1/4 in. high

Boy Holds Tiger (chair) by Jeffrey Cooper, 20 in. deep by 28 in. wide by 34 in. high

Work Table by Leonard Bellanca, 15 1/4 in. deep by 23 3/4 in. wide by 30 in. high

Lacewood Nightstands by Brian Sargent, 20 in. deep by 22 in. wide by 26 in. high

White Bears with Black Noses (love seat) by Jeffrey Cooper, 22 in. deep by 56 in. wide by 17 in. high

Chippendale Bureau by Allen Eason, 21 in. deep by 33 in. wide by 33 in. high

Claro Sideboard by Ted Blachly, 19 in. deep by 66 in. wide by 33 in. high

Full Circle #5 by Wayne Marcoux, 16 in. deep by 58 in. wide by 31 1/2 in. high

Pushmepullu Cabinet by Henry Fox, 18 in. deep by 32 in. wide by 84 in. high

Citron Altar by Jon Brooks, 19 in. deep by 36 in. wide by 34 in. high

Hall Table by Aurelio Bolognesi, 18 in. deep by 60 in. wide by 33 in. high

Photos: Thomas McKenna