A Mysterious Wooden Obelisk Reveals a Functional Surprise


When John Makepeace OBE attended the Young Furniture Makers Awards in London in 2023, he encountered the impeccable craftsmanship of Foris, a newly established workshop based in Oxfordshire of South East England. Impressed with their ingenuity and precision, Makepeace saw an opportunity to merge the studio’s woodworking talents with his vision, and commissioned Foris to create the Obelisk 3, a dark wooden obelisk that concealed a cabinet interior.

Tall black wooden cabinet with open doors, featuring a round mirror on top and a central stack of circular drawers with a purple cushion.

Makepeace has a history of challenging the cabinet typology, designing pieces like the Wings cabinet with feather-like folds or the Flow chest with carved wood details that resemble water ripples. Obelisk 3 is the latest addition, standing out for its blackened oak exterior that exudes a bold, contemporary aesthetic. Inside, the light rippled sycamore wood creates a visual and tactile contrast that is both unexpected and delightful. The juxtaposition of materials distinguishes the known from the unknown, the seen and the hidden. The top shelf features a custom mirror that can be pulled out and angled to the user’s height. Right below, a rich aubergine-hued pad offers a soft landing for delicate accessories, followed by six drawers to store and catalogue items by height.

Tall, cylindrical black vase with vertical brass hinges on a light gray background.

Wooden cabinet with an open black shell design, containing a circular mirror on top and six light wood stacked drawers inside.

A round wooden mirror with a stand is placed on a black shelf with gold hinges.

Creating this unique piece was not easy for Foris, who shared that they were honored to work with Makepeace on this project. “It’s the most exacting piece we have so far made, its curved tapering form was quite the challenge,” the studio shared via Instagram. “We are beyond happy with the result!”

A cylindrical wooden stool with a purple cushion is stored in a tall, black cabinet with gold hinges.

A wooden cylindrical cabinet with a circular black lid and purple velvet cushion on top, featuring multiple drawers.

The Obelisk 3 stands as a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and high standards that both Makepeace and Foris uphold in their work. Every detail, from the smooth, seamless finish of the blackened oak to perfectly curved, gradual taper of the sycamore drawers, speaks to a level of craftsmanship that is as much a mastery of skill as it is an art form.

Close-up of wooden circular shelves with vertical slats in a modern, curved design.

A round wooden box with a detached lid lined in purple fabric.

Obelisk 3 made its public debut at the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, exhibited by the Sarah Myerscough Gallery. The fair, known for showcasing some of the finest art and design from around the world, provided the perfect platform to reveal the obelisk’s immaculate design and the story of collaboration and innovation between Makepeace and Foris.

A tall, black vase with a cylindrical shape and minimalist design stands upright on a plain background.

Tall, black cylindrical cabinet with four drawers and an open shelf on top, featuring a wooden accent and a small attached mirror.

Tall, black wooden cabinet with multiple light wood drawers and a shelf on top, partially open, against a plain background.

Black cabinet with open doors displaying a round mirror and six wooden drawers stacked vertically in the center.

Black wooden cabinet with open doors, revealing circular shelves and a mirror on top.

Close-up of a wooden spiral staircase with smooth, light-colored panels, showing a modern architectural design inside a building.

Wooden cylindrical cabinet with open front, featuring stacked circular compartments, set against a minimalist black and white background.

Close-up of a wooden panel with a circular mirror and a brass hinge.

A circular wooden box with a vertical slot on one side, set against a plain white background.

A round, light wood container with a vertical opening and a tab closure. The wood grain is visibly patterned.

To enquire further about the Obelisk 3, visit sarahmyerscough.com.

Photography by Stephen James.





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