JOHN SCOTT BRADSTREET (1845 - 1914)
MINNEAPOLIS CRAFTHOUSE
Jin-di-sugi frame, Minneapolis, MN, 1904-14
Carved and painted cypress, decorative pierced brass roundel
Unmarked
31 3/4" x 24"
Bradstreet’s jin-di-sugi process was inspired by jindai-sugi , “cedar of God’s age” panels that he had seen at Japanese temples. Crafted from cedar trees that had been submerged in water and mud for centuries, these exposed the raised hard grain which artisans then utilized for carving intricate designs. After much trial and error, Bradstreet was able to reproduce the effect, which Louis Tiffany praised as the most unique and artistic wood treatment he had ever seen. It involved scorching cypress wood, then wire-brushing it to reveal the raised hard fiber grain, followed by washing and waxing, and then carving, painting, and/or staining it as the artisan desired.

A few small chips to edges, some minor scratches.