Tegwyn Lewis

Specifications
The table (24ins L x 16ins W x 18ins H) is constructed from comb jointed plywood, with 50 different, decorative woods applied to the suface using Cascamite glue.  Each piece of wood is 5½” x 2¾” and 5/16” in depth.  Sycamore surrounds the woods and lines the underside of the table.  The woods include Yew, Ash, Oak, Larch, Laburnum, Ebony, Holly, Aformosia, Purple Heart and the unsinkable Green Heart.

The context:
The final selection of woods was chosen for their decorative qualities.  They were sourced from different world locations, many brought from Ghana by eldest daughter Maralyn 35 years ago.  The design of the table was done in collaboration between them both.

The man:
Born in 1924, Tegwyn has always been passionately connected to wood and served his time as an apprentice pattern maker at Gresford Colliery in North Wales during the war years.  He moved on to become a joiner, making office furniture etc both at Gresford and Bersham colliery until he retired at 63.  He has made many fine pieces for the family and subsequent daughters homes, including a bureau, chest of drawers and clock case.  His macular degeneration means that he is unable to measure, so each piece of wood was cut and planed using a jig.  He can only ever work in bright sunlight.

The legacy:
Affirmed by all who know him to be his most beautiful piece to date, it is a celebration not only of the intrinsic beauty of wood but of a craftsman who can reach his peak at 84 years young.