Chess set display case design

[Mitch Barker]

I'm designing a display case for a handmade ceramic chess set. Approx dimension are 2' x 1.5' x 8" (wxhxd). It will be glass on the three exposed sides. The case will most likely be hung on a wall.

My question is about the "panels" for the glass sides. Most examples I see use a rail and stile frame. I was wondering about what people thought about using a splined miter to join the frame together?

A second question is about the type of wood. I like to use figured wood, but I'm thinking that it would be visually jarring where the rails and styles meet since the figure (curl) would meet at 90 deg angles. That's what led me to think about mitered corners.

Any comments, suggestions, ideas or examples are welcomed.

Mitch

[Ed Sallee]

I made this one last fall.... and it has mitered corners. The wood is Wormy American Chestnut. The plan came from Wood Magazine, September, 2006 issue....