Inside the lid

I've always avoided showing anything of the handle through the lids. After looking at this, I wonder if I should be. Looks nice, and it's undoubtedly stronger than gluing a shouldered stub tenon. Allows for a thinner top, too.

Only thing I'd have done differently would be to tack the lid to the base and make a nearly continuous curve where I could see the whole at once.

Actually, it is 2 pieces of cherry on the lid, both have stubby tennons. Though the stem is a tight fit to begin wth so I am not worried about it coming off.