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Carpentry
The wooden framework of the tabernacle would be prepared by a carpenter, either to a design specified by the artist or a ready made version bought from the carpenter. It would have been made from seasoned poplar wood, for although prone to warping, poplar was the only timber readily available in Italy. The planks of wood would be shaped with chisels, knots in the wood removed, and any holes plugged. The framework would be built up by fastening pieces of shaped wood together with glue and nails.
The central section of the Daddi tabernacle comprises a flat backboard with a triangular top, to which two pieces of shaped wood have been attached to form the projecting gable, the second piece forming the recess for the doors. The bottom plinth has been built up with an extra shaped piece of wood to help form a stabilising base. Along this plinth the date of 1338 is just visible:
ANNO . DNI[M] .CCC.XXXVIII
although the central part of the inscription has been covered by an indistinct coat of arms (a later addition to the panel).
The decorative mouldings have also been glued in place. The side wings with their arched top would have been prepared in a similar fashion. The more complex twisted columns in the central section may have been assigned to a more specialist woodcarver.
Popular books in 14th century Florence - The Craftsman's Handbook
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