Altar commissioned by an Episcopal church. Built and carved by Martin O'Brien.  The carved inscriptions taken from the bible represent the languages of Aramaic/Syriac, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and English.
Calligraphy/ Design: John Stevens & Martin O'Brien
Materials:
Top and oval stretcher:  Magnolia
Apron w/incised lettering:  Buckingham slate 
Legs: quartersawn white oak (casters that retract into the legs)
Inlays: handcut and assembled from walnut, holly, ebony, oak
Finish: dyes, pigments, shellac and wax
Some details of design, carving and construction.
Planning Stages:

Various design proposals were considered. The objective was to incorporate language with the concept and convention of the altar.
Lettering sketch below: workiing pattern that is then used as a layout for the stretcher.
2008 Martin O'Brien Cabinetmaker.com