ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020 - 17

www.CHESTERCMS.org

The Art of Chester County

Robert Allen
Korbonits
BY DR. BRUCE A. COLLEY
PRESIDENT OF CHESTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

A

rt is created by artists. We usually think of them
as painting pictures or perhaps carving sculptures,
but as noted in previous articles, Chester County
is rich in artists of all genres. In this issue we are fortunate
to present a cabinetmaker, or wood artist as I think of him.
Cabinet makers are unique in that they are part designer,
technician, carver, and artist. Chester County has a long list
of distinguished cabinetmakers, the likes of Benanial and son
Thomas Ogden, Amos Darlington Sr. and son Amos, Isaac
Weaver and Jesse Linton. Allow me to introduce you to
Robert Allen Korbonits, or Bob as he is known to his friends
and neighbors. He is a lifelong resident of East Bradford
Township here in Chester
County. He grew up and
still lives in a house with
a view of the northernmost battlefield of the
Battle of the Brandywine.
It is one of the most
Left: Inlaid Oak Chest of
Drawers: Early American-English, done with
Eastern Red Oak and
Mahogany by Robert
Allen Korbonits.

scenic points along the Brandywine River. Rich farm fields
still predominate, but also forests of mixed hardwoods that
produce the beautiful material for his craft.
Bob's interest in wood began in elementary school. He
would explore, usually with his friend (the author of this
article), sawmills that used to operate in East Bradford, to find
samples of slab wood in the waste piles, with which we would
abscond to make cutting boards and knick-knacks. Even at a
young age he was fascinated with the variety of wood here in
Chester County. Oak, hickory, walnut, poplar, and exotics
like osage orange and sassafras. This early interest and the
serendipity of living down
the road from Marshall
Britton, the premier
cabinetmaker in Chester
County, lead to a hobby in
woodworking through high
school and college. Marshall
would welcome him to his
continued on next page >

Chest of Drawers (in progress): New England Style, American
Black Cherry, note Bracket Feet detail.
SPRING 2020 | CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine 17
http://www.chestercms.org
ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ChesterCountyMedicineSpring2020
