The Other John Hall Frames
One of my favorite projects ever to come out of my shop is the John Hall Frame reproduction (mine is on the left and the original is on the right). Just as a quick refresher, John Hall was one of the famous Hall Brothers who were responsible for the construction of many of the best known Greene & Greene creations.
Now many of you may remember that I was attending a week-long class being taught by Darrell Peart at the William Ng School when I had an opportunity to handle, trace, and measure the original Hall frame. During that week, in addition to meeting Gary Hall (Peter Hall’s grandson), I had the opportunity to meet Tom Moore, a Greene & Greene enthusiast and docent at the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA. Recently, Tom was able to view and photograph three more frames made by John Hall. These frames are still in the family and needless to say, its probably not easy prying them away from the hands of their owners. Fortunately for all of us, Gary made it happen and Tom was kind enough to share his photos with me. So let’s take a little trip back in time!
The first frame is being referred to as “Carved Frame“, for obvious reasons. The frame seems relatively simple, which is just as well given the wildly pronounced grain and the carving on the top rail. The wood looks to be pine or maybe some wild douglas fir. What I find amazing about this piece is how John Hall let the wood guide his carving. At first glance you might not even notice its there. I imagine its much more obvious in person. Tom reported that the wood appeared to have been “liberally wire brushed for deep texture”. This carving style seems reminiscent of the wall panel carvings I observed at the Gamble house itself. I remember taking note of how the carver (one of the Hall Brothers I assume) utilized the natural grain lines in those panels and this frame clearly exploits the same natural properties of the wood. Here’s an excerpt from Tom’s observations:
“The top rail is carved, although it doesn’t show up dramatically due to the coloring. The full carved scene shows three clouds, one over the full moon, and five large birds (seagulls?).”
The next frame is called “Island Paradise” and appears to be another straightforward frame. Judging from the ray fleck and grain pattern it looks to be of quarter sawn white oak. Remember that the Greene Bros. (and certainly the Hall Bros. as well) took a great deal of influence from the Arts and Crafts movement and the stylings of Gustav Stickley. So its not surprising to see white oak show up here. The joints on this frame appear to be pegged with white oak and I do see a few design features (cloud-lift-like elements) that are also present in the original Hall frame that started me down this whole path.
The final frame is called “Tender Memories” and is named after the painting within it. The most striking thing about this mahogany frame is how similar it is to some of the Gamble House frames: Gamble House Virtual Archives DA-005 and DA-002. The big question on my mind is when was this frame made? Was it before, or after the Gamble House project? Were these Gamble House frames actually built AND designed by the Halls? Fun questions to ponder. The frame features an inner frame made of walnut and Tom speculates that the outer frame was made before they knew exactly what would go inside it.
Tom and Gary disassembled the frame to see how everything was held together. Here’s Tom’s account of the event:
“We disassembled it to see how it was done. What a surprise. In addition to the Citizen newspaper, there were free floating strips of cardboard and small pieces of wood, most a bit smaller than a wooden match, that served as shims. The frame is similar to the one in the Gable House but the Hall frame is portrait while the Gamble is landscape. In addition, the Hall splines are mahogany, while the Gamble splines are brass.”
So after pouring over the numerous photos I received from Tom, I really started to wonder about the story behind these creations. While beautiful in their overall design, the fit and finish is not exactly at the same level as the pieces that adorn the various Greene & Greene houses. Being a woodworker myself, I can envision a few scenarios here. These frames could have simply been intended as practice. Perhaps they were done to iron out a particular technique or to play with unusual proportions. Were these just the “oops” projects? Maybe they were presents made for family members in between the paying jobs. After all, our family members tend to be a little less picky than our customers. Even without an accompanying story, these frames are a sight to behold.
I have never been much of a history buff but I just can’t seem to get enough of the Greene and Hall legacies. My Hall frame reproduction adorns a wall in my kitchen and every morning I get to appreciate it as I prepare my cup of joe. It serves as inspiration and a reminder of why I work with wood. The passion that went into John Hall’s work is the same passion that drives all of us, regardless of our skill or experience level. So I encourage you to exercise that passion as much as possible. Get into the shop and create! Just remember, even if you screw something up its not the end of the world. Give the “oops” projects to friends and family members and move on. You never know, your next creation could be your masterpiece!
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Very beautiful, It is interesting to me how styles change over time. For example i usually finish the back of my frames, and the inside of my furniture, I have seen lots of examples of furniture from long ago that is not.
Thanks Marc! I tend to agree with your analysis after checking out these photos. The first 2 look like mock-up frames to show the general idea to a client. However, the third frame,”Tender Memories” is stunning! The design and especially the proportions are perfect.(At least to my eye) I believe I like this frame even more than the original Hall frame.
Thanks a million Marc for the opportunity to see these rare gems.
The Greene and Greene recreation is awesome. Could you furnish plans or dimensions so the rest of us could give it a try?
Hey Scott. Check out the August issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/aug09
Hey thanks for the heads up…. don’t know how I missed that one!!!
Actually I like your replica better. To mt taste the inside of the stiles look a little better.
I hope to make a replica of this frame next year, I hope that I can do it justice.
I’ve also fallen in love with the last of the three. (Tender Memories)
However, I have to say that the inner frame of that piece is not walnut, but is Brazilian rosewood. Possibly the most beautiful of hardwoods, but sadly, no longer available.
DD
I agree the last one, and your recreation are the best of them. Those two just seem to jump out at me with style…..
Daniel… that may be true, you can get austrailian rosewood and it is most stunning
Hi Marc – great posting!
I agree that some of these frames – especially “Island Paradise” and “Carved Frame” aren’t be up to the same level as stuff in the original G&G houses.
Maybe as you say, these were just meant as practice pieces – there are some very good ideas in them but, just not carried out to the level we have come to expect.
I have given a many of my “experiments and practice” pieces to family members over the years. Sometimes I cringe a bit as I see these pieces again – especially when they are prominently displayed. I doubt if I could ever convince my Mother to git rid of – or at least hide some of the stuff I have given her.
This is just one of the perils of woodworking.
Excellent job on the recreation Marc.
Marc, this is Margaret from Magnolia Works. We have taken a finishing class from an instructor at Cerritos College who did some of the restoration work at the Gamble House. He told us that the murals in the living room were torched and brushed before they were carved. Is it possible that this also was burned, then brushed severely to get that effect? Just a thought. Thanks, Margaret
Certainly looks like a possibility doesn’t it? Only wish I had a chance to observe them in person. The pictures are very good but with that carved frame, I think I really need to see it with my own eye to really analyze it.
I find any information on Hall brothers very interesting, not only because my name is Hall but also i am into woodworking and have been for the last 40 to 45 yrs.
i also like the wood whisperer site a lot, i am always finding ideas and tips on this site and it is a very well constructed site. Thank You…Jim Hall
Marc,
I have to say that you are really getting good at your skills in writing with description and purpose. This is a great post- in content, subject matter and photos. But, what makes it great is how you have used that to inspire us to create. This is not just a reply to win a monthly prize. Thank you for inspiring us all in the craft of creating with wood. Here’s hoping we all get a little extra time out in the woodshop today.
Marc,
Your reproduction is very nicely done. I am typically not a Greene & Greene fan, but your work is well done.
Is there any specific types of wood that are “better suited” for G&G?
Thanks,
Marc,
Thanks for posting these other G & G frames. I enjoyed reading your recent article in Popular Woodworking Magazine about your first frame… these are really awesome too…
Ever since I have seen this frame I loved it, and it is not my normal style that I take a liking to. I also could only imagine gettimg your hands on the original (wow)what an honor. Keep up the great work.
Nate