Phillip Lloyd Powell Wall-Mounted Console Shelf in Walnut

Phillip Lloyd Powell, sizable wall-mounted console, walnut, Unites States, 1970s

With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, this wall-mounted shelf or console is a testimony to Phillip Lloyd Powell's expert craftsmanship and distinctive methodology. The unit revolves around a linear and naturalistic slab of walnut wood that creates a pure and serene piece. The walnut breaks the strict lines due to its pronounced grains and variation in wood tones. Besides its functional properties, Powell succeeded in creating a durable piece of furniture with a timeless aesthetic and impeccable quality.

Phillip Lloyd Powell (1919-2008) is one of the essential members of the American Studio Craft Movement. Born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1919, he discovered his love for furniture design at a young age. He already began crafting his own furniture and custom furniture for family and friends in his adolescent years. He studied engineering at Drexel university but was drafted to serve in the Army Air Corps during the Second World War. After his return from the army, he settled in New Hope, Pennsylvania, a place that was crowded with craftspeople such as Paul Evans. It was during this period that he met Evans and throughout the 1950s and 1960s the two men shared a studio. Therefore, they often collaborated, creating some of the most important furniture of the Midcentury Studio Furniture Movement. Together, they shared a love for materials and a passion for handcrafted pieces. Therefore, all his pieces are handmade from high quality, grained woods that often recall their natural shape and form. Another natural material that he often used was slate, the deep grey material was often used for table or credenza tops. He was a man who only want to produce exquisite pieces. In comparison to his contemporary, George Nakashima, he only had a very small production, as he produced about 10.000 pieces. It was in fact Nakashima who urged Powell to begin designing for himself in the first place. Today, Powell’s well-known carved wooden cabinets, consoles, chairs and dining tables are one of the most sought-after pieces from that era.