Ornamental woodcarver Patrick Damiaens
In
the 17th century, the Belgian town of Liege became highly
prosperous through
its coal mining, metal processing and glass refining industries.
Over the years, it evolved into a fashionable
residence for princes, aristocracy and wealthymerchants who could spend
lavishly on expensive furniture.
As most skilled craftsmen from the surrounding regions
were invited to work there, the city soon became famous for furniture
characterized by beautifully and delicately carved decoration.
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| carved wall-paneling |
Three hundred years later, Liege-style
furniture is still being created and carved to the highest levels of quality.
From his workshop in Maaseik, Belgium, Patrick Damiaens is a reassuring
reminder that even in these days of mass-manufactured furniture, there is still
a demand for the traditional skills of a master artisan.
Damiaens studied three years at the Don Bosco
Institute in Liege, where he learned the complex trade of ornamental
woodcarving. He spent six years studying furniture- making and one year
woodcarving in his hometown of Maaseik. Today, Damiaens is the only full-time
ornamental woodcarver inFlanders, the Dutch-speaking half of Belgium.
 |
| carved paneling period style |
Patrick
works in close cooperation with four colleagues: a staircase-maker, two
cabinet-makers and a furniture restorer.
Between them, they turn planks of rough French oak
into stunning cupboards, chests of drawers, wardrobes, doors, frames,
staircases, stereo cabinets and decorative panels.
We can make and decorate virtually any item of
furniture,” Damiaens exclaims enthusiastically.
 |
| Liege style paneling |
To
make an item of Liege-style furniture is ahighly complex process. The
preparatory technical drawings can take a full month and everyitem of furniture
requires a totally new set of drawings.
His first task is to make a rough sketch of the
pattern, which might be based on an original item of furniture or created by
Damiaens himself.
This is then presented to the customer. The final
technical drawing is redrawn on tracing paper and pinned to the selected panel
of wood.
The design is then transferred onto the wood, which
inmost cases is French oak.
 |
| wall-paneling carved ,theme bathroom |
The
next stage is the only time that Damiaens uses a machine (apart from one to
sharpen his tools). He skillfully manipulates a router to remove the bulk of
the wood surrounding the design, after which the actual hand carving can
begin.
With respect, patience and much artistic craft,
Damiaens carves each motif until he finds the right expression and
character.
Once the carving is completed, the panel is returned
to the cabinetmaker to be treated and incorporated into the intended piece of
furniture, be it an 18th century reproduction piece or an individual creation.
 |
| Patrick Damiaens at work |
Damiaens
is enthralled with the variety of projects he is asked to undertake, as well as
the larger pieces of furniture which easily take eight months to a year to
complete.
For a German client, he is currently building and
decorating a Georgian-style library. In between these large projects, he carves
and decorates a range of smaller, custom-made
commissions.
 |
| The Restauration of Wall-Paneling |
Damiaens
likes to challenge himself with exciting new carving designs. Most recently, he
is utilizing the style of 17th century English woodcarvers, who created
wonderful trophies and exquisite cascades of flowers, fruit and leaves, which
are applied to paneling, walls and even chimneys.
So detailed and refined are these carvings that
in certain light they look natural and lifelike, and have been likened to
lacework.
“I still try to add a personal contemporary touch to
these high-relief carvings,” explains Damiaens. “I see them as my children.”
» Reproductions and
personal creations of the 18th-century Liégeois
Furniture style.
» Artisan realisation and custom-made woodcarving and ornaments
for stairs, paneling, chimney-pieces, doors, family coats
of arms, ...
» Restoration and reconstruction of ornaments.
Furniture style.
» Artisan realisation and custom-made woodcarving and ornaments
for stairs, paneling, chimney-pieces, doors, family coats
of arms, ...
» Restoration and reconstruction of ornaments.
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