Details
Cunard ships, while among the most modern afloat, are known for their traditional luxury, accentuated by extensive use of brass, classic fabrics, marble and highly polished woods and veneers.
So the interior of Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth posed a particular challenge for designers deciding how to treat the significant central arched space on the sweeping staircase leading up from the main deck in the ship’s soaring Grand Lobby, the first area to greet embarking passengers. Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, says: “We needed to fill that space with a decorative screen which would not just be dramatic, a ‘wow’ factor in an area already full of ‘wow’, but which would also reflect our emphasis on traditional and sumptuous materials. After much thought and exploratory work, it was decided to commission a 5.6-metre (18 ft 6 in) high marquetry panel depicting the original Queen Elizabeth, an Art Deco icon, using a variety of natural woods from around the world. “Once we had decided on the theme and the medium, it didn’t take us long to conclude that no-one was better qualified for this detailed but monumental work than the company of the exceptional craftsman David Linley, whose creative ability and mastery of wood is renowned”.
As a result LINLEY was commissioned to design and make this stunning centrepiece at the heart of the ship. The magnificent artwork shows the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth seen dramatically from sea level, and is intricately executed using the technique of marquetry inlay in nine different types of wood veneers. Spanning 2½ decks, the panel is made up of nine panels seamlessly jointed to lightweight board. The marquetry panel features Madrona, Indian ebony, American walnut, grey ripple sycamore, burr ash, bird’s eye maple, satin walnut , ash, burr walnut and Macassar ebony – all used to depict the evocative image of Queen Elizabeth.
Email
Print
