This Federal style breakfront was inspired by the works of acclaimed Boston cabinetmakers, John and Thomas Seymour, whose furniture Tommy researched at the MFA and the Metropolitan Museum. As Tommy explains, the key to Federal style is creating dimension on a flat surface. To accomplish this he produces the appearance of depth by inlaying a mosaic of light and dark wood specie veneers (in this case holly and ebony) to form decorative elements like banding, stringing, and bellflowers. The piece is made of solid mahogany with crotch mahogany veneer applied in mirror image patterns to create a distinctive design.
