Wm. R. Robertson Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 I haven't posted much lately because I have been busy working in the shop. One of the pieces I have recently finished was a copy of a 17th c. Dutch Strong Box. One way to describe this might be 2 1/4" of insanity. I'll show a few photos of the finished box and then some process shots in the shop. Wouldn't this make a great tool chest? The box has a Bolivian rosewood interior with drawers and secret compartments, the outside is veneered in burl with a pattern similar to oystering with cross banding. About 80% of the exterior is then covered by 13 fancy brasses and edges. The stand was carved in boxwood and gilded by Master miniature carver Lloyd McCaffery' The working lock is double action, locking both the top and drop front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wm. R. Robertson Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Here is some of the veneering being glued to lid, all joints are dovetailed or splined. Here is the front panel, after veneering the center, the edge was turned round, then edge banded and turned again. The brasses are first engraved on brass on a Deckel GO from larger plastic patterns, Then these are sawn out by hand with a jewelers saw. The edges are made from brass angle with end caps gold soldered in place. Then using gravers and fine files the edges are beveled by hand and polished, this took nearly a entire week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wm. R. Robertson Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 These are the compartments for papers, note the tiny sliding latch. Here are screws driven by a crank that mount the chest to the base or the floor when traveling. Even the blackwood crank handle turns of a screwed in steel stud. I think the thread is about 0.5 mm. Rolling the hinge pins. The parts so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wm. R. Robertson Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 Assembly, notice details like the 12 lobbed screw heads and hundreds of brass nails, they are .012" Even though almost no one will see this, the back is done too with all the detail of the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElgaKoster Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 This is just an amazing piece Bill, so glad I got to see it in Chicago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeekendMiniaturist Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 The box is beautiful and it is nice to see the inside of the box.... perhaps another item that defines "Dutch Master". There is such richness in wood and brass. but, I really like the clamps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Thomas Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Amazing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Stunning !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Boorum Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Impressive work, even by your standards. Missed seeing this in Chicago. Didn't have much time to look which is a good thing for a dealer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janne Mauritzen Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 Amazing work Bill ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeezerMama Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Superlatives cannot describe how exquisite this piece is. And it's even more amazing when you see it in person. I'm glad I got to see it in Chicago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Ronan Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 It truly is amazing. Lots of jewelers saw work there! What gauge brass did you use? Did you bend the edge pieces after you sawed all the decorative work or before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyBoling Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 It was mind-blowing to see this in progress in Chicago last year. Wish I could have seen it finished this year. Absolutely exquisite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miraclechicken Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I missed seeing it too in Chicago ... What a huge amount of hand scroll cutting! Insanity indeed. WOW, amazing--- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ela Kiefhaber Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Amazing! And I'm really happy that I saw this in person. Unbelieveable.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie Sauv. Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 All I can say is WOW! Once again you have created a masterpiece. Wish I could have seen it in person. Your work makes me feel like a beginner. When is the class for this exquisite piece?? Ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Ann Chellis Wessel Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 absolutely fabulous Bill !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gradus Ulfman Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Wouw thad miraculeus, love it!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debora Beijerbacht Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Thanks for sharing the build as well, i think i speak for many when i say it's a delight to see it develop and grow from the photo's, into what it is now; superb! No wonder your client is delighted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesouth Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Exquisite, in person and in your wonderful wip pics! Thanks for sharing! Martha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteHorseStudio Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Wish I'd seen it in Chicago! Didn't get away from my table much. Will you have it at Guild School for us to drool over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeekendMiniaturist Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 On 4/24/2016 at 3:57 PM, Wm. R. Robertson said: The brasses are first engraved on brass on a Deckel GO from larger plastic patterns, Then these are sawn out by hand with a jewelers saw. Forum members, ah... another teaching moment from the master miniaturist himself... I do hope you will consider telling us more. Is this an engraving pantograph? On 4/24/2016 at 3:56 PM, Wm. R. Robertson said: . Wouldn't this make a great tool chest? A tool chest fit for royalty.... If I were infinitely wealthy and in the moment of imaging what wonderful items to fill the tool chest, I would want a mini holtzappfel lathe to put inside the tool chest... one that has moving parts please.... but that might be another one of those 10 year projects! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriciaPaul Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Totally Amazing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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