Item: Desk Set

Designer/Maker: Robert McKeown, 1931-1989. Born in Oakland, California, studied art at Humboldt State College in Eureka and received his degree from San Jose State College. He subsequently pursued color and design theory at the Mendocino Art Center and at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. McKeown was a resident of Hayward, CA.

Exhibitions: California State Fair (Award), 1975 and 1976
California Design ’76, Los Angeles, CA. 1976
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA., 1979
30 American Craftsmen, Seibu Stores, Tokyo, Japan, 1979
Yamaha Corporation, American Crafts Exhibition, Japan, 1979 and 1980.
California Collection, Museum Society, San Francisco, CA., 1979.
World Crafts Council Conference, U.S. Representative, Vienna, 1980.
Western States Invitational Wood Show, Gallery Fair, Mendocino, CA., 1981.
KQED Auction/Crown Zellerbach Show, San Francisco, CA. 1981.
National Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK. 1981.
Bloomingdale Craft Show, White Plains and NYC, 1981.
Playboy, 11th Hour Santa, 1982.

Description: Desktop accoutrements in mixed woods and resin. Four pieces include: tray; tray w/calendar; stamp box; letter opener. All marked or signed.

(From McKeown promotional material) “As for the work involved in producing the finished boxes, Bob uses an exclusive process, achieved as a result of ten years of experimentation. Generally, the design is created with a combination of inlay and of resin cast around wood inserts, much like cloisonné. This casting process will take days to complete since each of the brilliantly colored resins must dry before another can be poured. From the cutting of the rich walnut, birch and mahogany woods, through the exacting fit of the boxes, the blending of Bob’s extraordinary pigments and the final hand polishing; every detail is given full attention.”

Dimensions: Tray: 7-1/2″ x 3-5/8″ x 1-3/4″ h; tray w/calendar: 6-7/8″ x 6-3/8″ x 3″ h; stamp box: 1-7/8″ x 1-7/8″ x 2″ h; letter opener: 7-1/4″ x 1/2″ x 1-1/8″ h

Condition: Very good with a 1/16″ piece missing from the inlay strip on the tray with calendar – see photo.

Price: SOLD

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