Wendell Castle Gannett Boardroom Chair
This chair comes from my mother's estate via my aunt. My aunt was the manager of RIT's Shop ONE for nine years in the 60s, after which she opened and ran (with Mom) the Ten Arrow gallery in Harvard Square. Mom knew Wendell but my aunt and Wendell were good friends for over half a century. This one has the usual chips on the "feet" from use in small apartments. A couple of checks easily repaired (see my studio by Googling "Antikea of La Mesa"). Upholstery is surprisingly good. One broken caster. Some examples of this chair have sold for $3500 before Wendell died. Auction estimate prices for these chairs are now running from $5000 to $24,000 see these links https://www.wright20.com/auctions/2015/10/design/278 and https://www.wright20.com/auctions/2015/10/design/285 and https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/lounge-chairs/wendell-castle-lounge-chairs/id-f_16400902/
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Jonathan Walkey is retired professional furniture maker who now makes selected pieces for discriminating clients. I am a one man studio, specializing in decorative arts and crafts, mid-century, Greene & Green, etc. furniture. my own personal style generally includes contrasting hardwoods with beautiful grains and hand worked inlays. In between commissions I simultaneously work on personal studio furniture projects.
I was raised in Lincoln Massachusetts where my father was the director of the DeCordova Museum of modern art. My mother worked as an expert in fine crafts and furniture . I attended many arts and crafts classes and summer art camps at the Museum. I was trained as a silversmith at age 11 and at age 12 built a 10 foot kayak made of wood and canvas. I was a U.S. Navy trained aviation mechanic and earned my living for 15 years as a master mechanic, working mainly on motorcycles. I am also a former carpenter, criminal appellate attorney, credentialed teacher, professional writer, and painter.
Today I apply my talents and interests to building fine arts and craft furniture. My lifelong continuing education combines training of the mind with training of the hands. What you buy from Jonathan is fine art as well as heirloom quality furniture built to last many lifetimes. These qualities are reflected in the cost of my work, neither of which should ever be compared with that of commercial furniture.
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