Description:
Cornice plane produced by African American planemaker, Cesar Chelor (1720-1784), of Wrentham, Massachusetts. The plane is stamped on the end (or toe): "CE*CHELOR / LIVING*IN / WRENTHAM," "EM," and "AA." Chelor learned the art of plane making from his enslaver, Francis Nicholson (1683-1753), who also worked as a planemaker in Wrentham. In 1753, Nicholson died, and, as stipulated in his will, Chelor was freed. In his will, Nicholson also provided Chelor with woodworking tools and land, thereby supplying him with the necessary capital to establish his own business. Chelor continued to work as an independent planemaker in Wrentham for some thirty years following his emancipation until his death in 1784. It was during this time that this cornice plane—used for creating complex moldings, such as crown moldings—was likely made.
Construction: Cornice plane of large rectangular shape stamped on the toe (or front of the plane) with several marks. The plane is chamfered along its top left and side edges, and the corners of the plane feature lamb’s tongue chamfering. The top edge along the back of the plane is rounded, and the top edge along the front is square. The base of the handle (or tote) fits into a shallow, rectangular-shaped mortise, and is secured into place with a single screw. The top of the iron blade and wooden wedge (or key) are rounded. The front, back, and right sides of the plane are flat, and the left side (or stock) is stepped. The stock has a projecting lower edge that forms the fence, and cove molding along its midsection. The bottom (or sole) of the plane includes a fence along with compound cove and serpentine shaped curves.
Tags:
tools; enslaved persons Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2022.9 |
