Sabzewar Library Table
2025
- 1 of 21
Finished Table - 2 of 21
Finished Table - 3 of 21
Finished Table - 4 of 21
Carved Tiles - 5 of 21
Reference Press Mold - 6 of 21
Making Slip-casting Molds - 7 of 21
Making Slip-casting Molds - 8 of 21
Pattern Test - 9 of 21
Mortared to Cement Board - 10 of 21
Laminated to Plywood - 11 of 21
Brass Stock - 12 of 21
Soldered Brass - 13 of 21
Blackened Brass - 14 of 21
Prepped Frame - 15 of 21
Assembled Frame - 16 of 21
Grout Color Line-Test - 17 of 21
The Grouting Process - 18 of 21
Before Stain - 19 of 21
Beginning Base Restoration - 20 of 21
Inspiration (source: wikimedia) - 21 of 21
Inspiration Detail (source: wikimedia)
Handmade porcelain tiled table inspired by the Shrine of Hazrat Shah Shamsuddin Sabzwari in India.
In most tiling the negative space is little more than a regrettable necessity, here it is the primary focus. Spaces between the three tile shapes create a complex geometric network of nonagons and implied hexagons.
First, I hand carved the tiles and then used to make a reference press-mold. Castings from this mold were then used to create several two-part slipcasting molds, including molds for the half tiles around the perimeter. The tiles were glazed with custom glazes I mixed for this project and then fired to Δ10 in an electric kiln.
Brass tubing loops around the perimeter of the tiles to provide an outer edge for the grout before it encounters the wood. Using a chemical blackening agent I darkened the brass into subtle shades of blue and green to blend harmoniously. Yellow iron-oxide pigment was added to the grout to grant it its emphasis.
Cherry is used for the frame with paduk accents in the corners. A custom dye-tinted oil based stain gives it color, though with age both woods should darken and express more violet undertones. Garnet shellac and paste wax form the clear-coat layer to ensure years of durability and easy repair.
Finally, the base is from my great grandmother-in-law’s Singer sewing machine. I carefully restored it from a few decades of outdoor storage with hours of wire brushing, turpentine, and a little bit of black paint. I preserved all the original hardware and used it to attach the top.
