Wm. R. Robertson 533 Posted April 24, 2016 Report 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. 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wm. R. Robertson 533 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report 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. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wm. R. Robertson 533 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report 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. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wm. R. Robertson 533 Posted April 24, 2016 Author Report 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. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElgaKoster 540 Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 This is just an amazing piece Bill, so glad I got to see it in Chicago. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WeekendMiniaturist 287 Posted April 24, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Thomas 31 Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Amazing!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jaxenro 16 Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Stunning !! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Boorum 21 Posted April 24, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janne Mauritzen 1 Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Amazing work Bill ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MeezerMama 40 Posted April 25, 2016 Report 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Catherine Ronan 135 Posted April 25, 2016 Report 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? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MissyBoling 77 Posted April 25, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
miraclechicken 173 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I missed seeing it too in Chicago ... What a huge amount of hand scroll cutting! Insanity indeed. WOW, amazing--- 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ela Kiefhaber 4 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Amazing! And I'm really happy that I saw this in person. Unbelieveable.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Connie Sauv. 0 Posted April 25, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lee-Ann Chellis Wessel 30 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 absolutely fabulous Bill !!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gradus Ulfman 14 Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Wouw thad miraculeus, love it!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Debora Beijerbacht 100 Posted April 26, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mesouth 39 Posted April 27, 2016 Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Exquisite, in person and in your wonderful wip pics! Thanks for sharing! Martha Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteHorseStudio 14 Posted April 29, 2016 Report 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? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WeekendMiniaturist 287 Posted April 29, 2016 Report 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PatriciaPaul 2 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Totally Amazing!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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