Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2011.01.47 |
Object Name |
Mortiser |
Features |
Cast iron structure with 4 splayed legs with connecting bracers, a top metal [steel?] bench with several mechanisms. Mechanisms include a metal plate with a thin piece of wood pressed against the plate by the side of a large screw that hangs under the bench and is topped with a tape and plastic cap. There is also a vertical metal bar with brass leaf near the top. There is a foot pedal coming out on the short side between two of the legs, connected to a spring and a pole, when pedal is pumped the pole moves up moving a mechanism on top of the bench. There are twelve fruit stickers stuck to the legs on either side of the pedal |
Object Story |
This mortiser, also called a hollow chisel mortiser, was likely used by the Gibbard Furniture Company. The hollow chisel mortiser was invented by the Greenlee Brothers; Ralph and Robert in 1874. It became a popular tool for professional woodworking workshops, and remains common today. Gibbard Furniture was a company founded by John Gibbard who was born in 1813. Around adulthood he became an apprentice to his Father, who was a carpenter and millwright. In 1836 John Gibbard moved to Napanee where he at one point worked for John Benson installing doors and windows for Benson's store. In 1860 he leased a mill from William Bartels where he made furniture as well as doors, coffins, and more. His business grew throughout his life and managed to overcome the significant challenge of two separate fires. John Gibbard passed away in 1908. Gibbard Furniture remained in the his family until 1940 when it was purchased by Jack McPherson a former Gibbard sale's manager. It remained in the McPherson family until 2009 when the factory was shut down. |
People |
Gibbard, John Benson, John Bartels, William Mcpherson Greenlee, Robert Greenlee, Ralph McPherson, Jack |
Subjects |
Wood work Wood working Furniture Furniture industry Furniture making |
Search Terms |
Gibbard Gibbard Furniture Gibbard's Furniture Gibbards |