A unique style of Ball and Claw feet for a chair. PIX

[Richard Wolf]

Great work.

Richard

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I like that a lot. Claw feet has been a thing I have wanted to try for a long while.
That however is the first time I saw under cut claws.

Way cool ~!!

[Per Swenson]

Beautiful, only because they haven't coined the appropriate

adjective yet.

Per

[Carl Eyman]

Inspiring! You make me want to try undercutting.

[Mark Singer]

Great work! You are doing some really great work John!

[Doug Shepard]

What blows me away is that you've got the courage and skill to do the claw end last. I'm sure if I even attempted something as great I would have tossed 7 or 8 botched legs and wasted a lot of time on the rest of the leg as well. I'm sure my keepers wouldn't look that nice either. Outstanding work.

[lou sansone]

nice example of b/c feet. thanks for the photos. why did you choose the tapered ball ( new York "square ball" per Israel Sack )l rather than the round ball ? BTW, I do not like the squashed ball either, but IMHO the round ball looks best. Just the same, the masters did have a number of versions of these balls, and I was just wondering why attracted you to them
Lou

[John Fry]

nice example of b/c feet. thanks for the photos. why did you choose the tapered ball ( new York "square ball" per Israel Sack )l rather than the round ball ? BTW, I do not like the squashed ball either, but IMHO the round ball looks best. Just the same, the masters did have a number of versions of these balls, and I was just wondering why attracted you to them
Lou

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

Lou,

I drew up several renditions, and the clients showed me several photos and drawings of their own. I went with the tapered ball in an effort to achieve a sense of femininity, which is not an easy task with something as aggressive as a ball and claw foot. A chair leg is short to begin with and by trying to make the ball "smaller" and more petite, the whole foot gets shorter if the ball is round. I wanted the length of talon for the undercutting, and after looking at all of our drawings, I decided I liked the tapered ball the most. by raising the apex, and tapering the ball, it allowed me reduce the diameter of the ball without making it shorter and stubbier (what I was trying to avoid), and maintain the slender, but still long claws. I felt I was still able to convey the look of the tension and the grip, but keep a touch of femininity.

I also was NOT out to try and reproduce some individual "Master's" work, which can often be a road to disaster, but maybe, just maybe, by using various different elements, I could inject a touch of individuality.

I have had a few other comments, (which I do appreciate) about the tapered ball, so I guess, like everything else, we all have different tastes and you can't please everybody.

I really do like them, and the clients love them, so I think I've done my job.

Thanks for your input Lou.

[Jerry Olexa]

Outstanding work as well as lots of PATIENCE!! Very nice...

[Ron Brese]

I like the idea that you took a classic form and elaborated it with your own ideas in order to make it appropriate for your client. People that do such a thing are called artist.

Ron Brese

[Alan Greene]

John, Absolutely wonderful work. I really liked the overall effect you achieved. Please do post pictures of the completed project. How long did it take to finish the carvings?

[Jason Tuinstra]

Wow, that is some great detail work! They look very much alive.