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FlG 7.2 An example of lute, debased, linenfoldfrom a Welsb church. The colour was usual in the Middle Ages.

Making Allowance FOR WOOD MOVEMENT

Lincnfold was carvcd on pancls which were then framed. The edges of the panels werc rebated or tapered to Fit easily in the grooves of the frame. The old woodworkers knew about wood movement and madę allowance for expansion and contraction. If the panel is too loose it should be nailed only in the middle, at the top and bottom. It can then move sideways without risk of compression set or splitting. Comprcssion set occurs when wood is restrained from swelling when dampened. The Fibres are crushcd bcyond the point of no return. The classic case is of a mallet or hammer handle that is looser after it has been soaked in the head and then dried.

Choice of Wood

As lincnfold is a form of optical illusion it does not have to be deeply carved, although there are examples which are 19mm (⁵Ain) or morę deep. It can be carved successfully in timber 12mm (Win) thick. For the beginners practice piece I suggest a board 25mm (lin) thick. It can, of course, be carved in any carvable wood, but as the original patterns were carvcd in oak it looks odd to us done in any other timber. Ideally you need a piece of quarter-sawn straight-grained wood at least 200mm (8in) wide by 250mm (lOin) long. You may design your own pattern, but as a start I rccommcnd copying old examples from actual furniture or panelling in churchcs or museums. If you are working from photographs then making a model in clay or plasticine helps.

PREPARATION OF THE RlDGES AND GROOVES

Although the actual carving of the lincnfold pattern on the ends is what commands our attention and taxes our carving skill, the most timc-consuming aspect of the work is the preparation of the section into which it is carvcd. The ridges and grooves of this are closcly connected with the shapes at the ends. I have been told that the Victoria and Albert Museum possesses a horse harness with a lincnfold profile eutter attachcd. This suggests that long ago someone had the idea of mass producing the pancls. A long board would have been moulded by the eutter being drawn along likc a piane. It would then havc been cut into appropriate lengths. Indeed, if you are making several panels you can maintain consistency by running the moulding all along a board which is then cut to lengths to save time. Close examination of old examples will show, howcvcr, that mostly the scction was cut by hand with chisels. Saw cuts along the lower grooves help to kecp the chisels in a straight linę. If you havc the moulding plancs known as ‘hollows* and ‘rounds’ they can make the cuts

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