he carvings were done by hand in Sapele, an African hardwood very similar to Honduras Mahogany and used as a substitute when Mahogany was in short supply.  Although it’s not as expensive it stands very well on its own and the quarter sawn is quite nice. The “Life so Short” quote comes from the Gustav Stickley Farm in New Jersey and was originally a quote from Chaucer, but does very much embody the Arts and Crafts spirit. The scarf joint on the frame is a popular Greene and Greene embellishment. Simple but very refined.