Classical Clock Tower

[SP01] (Size: 4"D x 10 1/2"H)
Cocobolo, African blackwood, olivewood, snakewood, 1 3/8" clock movements, gold-plated beads, brass escutcheon pins. A large custom piece based on the motif of classical clock towers as evidenced in many of the striking century-old Texas county courthouses. Highly figured cocobolo is used for the main body and dome of the base. Dentil moldings are used in the base and at the cornice level below the main dome to create a vertical formality as in the Grecian temple architecture. The lower body is decorated with a deep 60 degree V-cut in a stacked design. The lower dome serves as the lid for a box accessed by lifting off the dome to expose a pull-out tray establishing 2 levels within. The lower dome is surmounted by a platform supporting the square clock tower which has 3/4-round classical balusters at the four corners to provide the sense of support. Within the blackwood moldings above and below the clock tower are polished brass pins set in hemispherical recesses to give a pearl-in-shell effect and aesthetically lighten the mass of black colored wood. Four clock faces with battery-powered movements are installed in the olivewood tower. The marbling of the olivewood gives an effect of stone faces. The upper dome, of snakewood, is also removable to expose a storage space within. The finial is of gold-plated beads, supported by a fluted skirt. See details-4.


Back to the previous Gallery section, Boxes
Forward to the next Gallery exhibit
UP to the Gallery Introduction/Index


World-Wide Web presentation Copyright © 1996, James E. Harris. All Rights Reserved.
Last revised February 4, 1996.