Walnut and juniper fly-tying desk.
$17,850.00
Custom Order Ask the ArtisanJohn Gallis’s exquisite craftsmanship is recognizable in every last detail of this walnut and juniper fly-tying desk with figured maple pencil tray and drawer fronts. From the dovetail drawer with curved front to the hand-carved center panel with original artwork by Randy Burke, this desk is a fisherman’s dream addition to their library or study. John has hand-selected fly rod tips for drawer and desktop lid handles. The sides of the desk apron are curved inward and embellished with applied juniper pole branches. John’s attention to detail is even more evident when you consider the process of applied pole decoration: Each branch has to be split and sanded before applying, and each side sanded straight so they fit tightly together. Additional attention was dedicated to the desk top and upper top were hand carved along the edges for extra texture. The sides on the upper unit have a carved relief which compliments the book-matched burls on the sides. “Catch Me If You Can” is impeccably designed and will make a show-stopping addition to your home library or study, or a focal piece in a cozy living room. The pop of color provided by Randy Burke’s original painting can serve as inspiration for surrounding decor, and will ignite your family’s passion to get on the water for generations of fishing seasons.
A native of Long Island, John established a lucrative career building custom cabinetry for Bloomingdale’s before moving west to Cody, Wyoming. He worked for a local furniture maker in town before opening Norseman Designs West, where he created his own line of awardwinning high-end western furniture. John combines the simple honesty of Shaker style with the flowing curves of Art Nouveau. Wood is his favorite medium; it is warm and forgiving, and he enjoys incorporating different textures into his pieces. He finds that each species of wood has its own unique scent and characteristics. He particularly likes working with walnut and juniper, as they blend well and complement each other. John searches out exotic examples of these woods, focusing on their figure and grain to enhance the overall look of the piece itself. He says he tries not to overwork the wood to be something it’s not. John gains inspiration from nature and by studying the work of the masters, from Shaker to Stickley, from Art Nouveau to Cody’s own Thomas Molesworth. John’s son, Ian, has been working with him for the past fifteen years and plans to continue the Gallis legacy into the next generation. Whether crafted by the father or son, each Norseman Designs West piece is highly refined, elegantly composed, and decidedly original.
