Classical Clock Tower No. 3

sp06.jpg (15341 bytes) [SP06] (Size: 4"D x 11 1/2"H)
Dymondwood, African blackwood, figured Masur birch, 7/8" clock movements, mother-of pearl cabochons in gold-filled bezels, brass tubing filled with black nylon rod, gold-plated beads. The third in a series--a large custom piece based on the motif of classical clock towers as evidenced in many of the striking century-old Texas county courthouses. Red dymondwood is used for the main body and dome of the base. Dymondwood is a manufactured wood product made of aniline dyed birch veneer which is fused into a solid block under heat and pressure with acrylic resin. It is stable, the finish is built into the wood and the color does not fade or change. Dentil moldings inlaid with African blackwood are used in the base. At the cornice level below the main dome a sgraffito* effect is achieved with vertical slotting through the dymondwood into blackwood to create a vertical formality as in the Grecian temple architecture. Around the base and under the dome are decorative inlay rings comprised of brass tubing which has been filled with black nylon rod. The lower body is decorated with a deep 90° 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 matched free-turned balusters at the four corners to provide the sense of support. Within the blackwood moldings  below the clock tower are 4mm mother-of pearl cabochons set in gold-filled bezels which serve to aesthetically lighten the mass of black colored wood. Four clock faces with battery-powered movements are installed in the highly figured Masur birch  tower. The Masur birch has a figure that is somewhat like the peanut figure of Japanese tamo ash. The upper dome, also of Masur birch, is also removable to expose a storage space within. The finial is of gold-plated beads, supported by a fluted skirt. See details-5 (96 KB).
*Sgraffito-- defined as decoration produced by scratching or cutting through a surface layer of one material revealing a different colored background material beneath.


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Last revised Nov. 30, 1997.