The components
for this Executive Desk came from fragments of a centuries-old
Buddhist altar piece. Research suggested that the meaning
of the carved panels is “Arrange us as you will.”
So we did — to give them new life in a balanced, tranquil,
and powerful setting.
The desk is constructed primarily
of poplar and camphor, with opaque finishes in the tradition
of the original altar piece. The side panels were hand-carved
to depict the lotus blossom and the Hebrew samach. The inspiration
for these panels came from a meeting with Jetsun Pema, the
sister of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and Rodger Kamenetz,
the author of “The Jew in the Lotus.” It was fascinating
for us to have learned about these two very different cultures,
which share a history of oppression and exile, while still
maintaining grace and dignity.
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