The Güembé chair was named after a Bomba rhythm originating from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Güembé is a joyful sound, full of power, poise, and playfulness, and is traditionally associated with courtship, romance and flirtatious gestures. I have always admired that my ancestors were able to express these joyful sounds despite the horrific conditions of colonialism and slavery. While I would never compare my life to their pain, the hope in these chairs is what led me through a difficult time in my life full of loss and challenges, and I can't help but feel a similar energy and pride in creating light and beauty out of darkness. In each hand-carved gouge and curve I have poured love, and hope, and honor for those who came before us, and the full intention that you will experience these feelings when you enter the room, or use it to pen a letter or talk to a friend, or simply close your eyes and run your fingers along the textured seat edge.

As with all of my woodworks, these chairs have been made almost entirely with hand tools—from stock preparation, to joinery, to shaping and carving. While certain operations such as the cutting of strips for bent lamination require the aid of power tools, centering my work around hand power sets the energy imbued in every piece. I answered my calling to woodworking because I desired a life of serenity, simplicity, and intentional living, and I want anyone who interacts with my work to feel the same things. The whistling action of a sharp blade along the grain is more respectful of the tree, more kind to our planet, and brings me a sensation of peace and introspection that I believe carries on in the piece, to you. Yes, it takes more time and physical strain, but the value it adds is priceless.

These special edition Güembé chairs are made from Hard Maple, Bird's Eye Hard Maple, and Sipo (also known as Utile or Sipo Mahogany).  All joints are hand-cut, integral mortise and tenon joints for ultimate strength and longevity. The seats are attached with special hardware to accommodate the movement of wood throughout the year and prevent splitting. They are finished in dewaxed Shellac,** then hand rubbed with steel wool for a more subtle, satin sheen.

*Bent lamination is a process whereby wood is cut into thin strips, then glued together and bent to fit a designed form. This allows us to have thin, lightweight curves while using the structure of wood grain to our advantage.

**Shellac is a natural film finish derived from the resin of the lac bug in India. It provides good protection, superior depth of clarity, is non-toxic and free of plastic, and is easier to repair down the line than most finishes. Please be aware that Shellac does dissolve with alcohol, and contact with alcohol or substances containing alcohol should be avoided.