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03/04/2025 General, 19th & 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts
NEW YORK, NY -- Ed, Philip, and Matt Moulthrop represent three generations of acclaimed American woodturners, renowned for their skill in crafting exquisite wooden globes and vessels. Their work merges technical innovation with a profound appreciation for natural materials, transforming woodturning from a traditional craft into a celebrated form of contemporary art.
The family’s legacy began with Ed Moulthrop (1916–2003), often called the father of modern woodturning. Trained as an architect at Case Institute of Technology and Princeton University, Ed applied his engineering knowledge to woodturning, developing specialized tools and techniques that allowed him to turn his signature large-scale vessels with remarkable precision. Using native Southeastern woods such as maple, cherry, and walnut, he showcased the natural beauty of wood grain and texture in his iconic globes.
Philip Moulthrop (b. 1947), Ed’s son, continued the tradition while introducing his own innovations. He developed a distinctive mosaic technique, in which small segments of wood were combined to form intricate, geometric patterns within the globes. This approach added a new level of complexity and depth to the work, emphasizing the natural variations in wood while maintaining the smooth, spherical forms. Like his father, Philip initially pursued a different career, earning a degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law, before dedicating himself to woodturning.
Matt Moulthrop (b. 1977), the third generation, has carried the family’s artistry forward, integrating contemporary techniques while honoring the craftsmanship established by his grandfather and father. His globes, known for their deep, lustrous finishes, emphasize the organic beauty of wood’s natural patterns. Matt, who turned his first bowl at age seven, initially studied business and earned an MBA from Georgia Tech, before following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
The Moulthrop family’s work is featured in major museum collections across the country, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Their globes stand as timeless symbols of the intersection between nature and artistry, reflecting a multigenerational commitment to innovation and excellence.
Auction Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10am
Exhibition March 8 – 10
Featured in the Doyle+Design auction are fifteen signature globes by three generations of master woodturners -- Ed, Philip and Matt Moulthrop.
