One of the additional tasks one can do at IBTC Portsmouth on the joinery course if you have time, is to make a Dorade box. I had got as far as cutting and fitting the dovetails for the box sides, when we moved on to the boatbuilding course. The pieces have been sitting on my workbench for several months, while I have wondered how to make it into something more useful than a baffle ventilator box for a yacht I don’t have – I know, I could make the Dorade box and then build a yacht to fit, but that ain’t likely to happen!

So, here it is: a treasure chest, memory box, jewellery box, or what you will.

It is made out of mahogany, and when the light is right, the grain contains lovely copper-coloured highlights. There’s a secret compartment too, just for a bit of fun!!