Browsing around and came across this stunning masterpiece

[YorkshireMartin]

Very rarely am I stunned by something, yet this is one of those rare occasions.

What an absolute masterwork of a clock this is. To add a cherry to the cake, there is even a long series of build photo's.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/124830/whimsical-grandfoather-clock

I'm sure some of you will have seen it before, I just couldn't help but share.

 

[custard]

That's the ugliest clock I've ever seen.

It belongs in a circus ring, with a bunch of clowns trying to wind it up, even though their trousers keep falling down.

Just sayin'

 

[Monkey Mark]

I can see a lot of work has gone into that, but it certainly wouldn't have room in my house.

 

[John15]

I'm certainly not stunned. It looks like a joke.

John

 

[NazNomad]

Controversially, I love it.

 

[DTR]

Not my cup of cha, but I appreciate that a lot of work must have gone into it

 

[bugbear]

It rather reminds me of hand made lace, whose only purpose is to remind you how many man hours went in to making it.

BugBear

 

[woodbrains]

It rather reminds me of hand made lace, whose only purpose is to remind you how many man hours went in to making it.

BugBear

Hello,

It is interesting that you think this; until you brought it up, I'd never considered 'man 'hours' as a reason for making a thing. Do you really think the lace makers have that criterion in their minds when they make lace? You are certainly courting Grayson Perry's notion that the hand made is just an expensive indulgence, as everything mass produced is inexpensive, fit for purpose and accessible.

I do think the clock case is an abomination though. I quite like clockwork mechanism though, perhaps the mechanism is fine.

Mike.

 

[geoffshep]

Blooming clever though to make a wooden clock. If I think back to all the things I made in Meccano, which lost half the motion in every linkage, to make a clockwork mechanism that holds anything like the right time is pretty good going.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Looks like Naz and I will have to draw lots for it ...

 

[bugbear]

It rather reminds me of hand made lace, whose only purpose is to remind you how many man hours went in to making it.

BugBear

Hello,

It is interesting that you think this; until you brought it up, I'd never considered 'man 'hours' as a reason for making a thing. Do you really think the lace makers have that criterion in their minds when they make lace?

I certainly think that in the era when hand made lace was most fashionable, and appears in the portraits of the time, the lace makers were primarily concerned with making a living.

The wearers' motives are also simple - hand made lace was a supreme status symbol, precisely because of its stupendous cost.

You are certainly courting Grayson Perry's notion that the hand made is just an expensive indulgence, as everything mass produced is inexpensive, fit for purpose and accessible.

Both of those statements are only partially true, IMHO. Call it 80% in both cases.

BugBear

 

[profchris]

Just back from a splendid weekend at a ukulele festival, where there were of course loads of production instruments and quite a few hand-made ones (for the pedants, of which I'm one, production instruments are hand made to a degree, but only by putting together standard components rather than crafting each element to the best of the maker's ability). A decent production uke starts at £100-£150, a luthier made one goes from £350 upwards.

As a music-making tool the £150 instrument is perfectly adequate - it plays and sounds nicely, and the audience hears very little difference compared to the luthier instrument.

But for the more skilled player, the luthier built instrument feels and sounds better in indefinable ways. I think that, as a consequence, it helps them give a better performance. And for the less-accomplished player there seems to be a psychological element - they will try more complex music and maybe succeed.

So there is a functional difference if you take the player perspective, but none really from the audience perspective.

Add to that the pleasure in ownership, knowledge of the skill used in making it, admiration of peers, and I see a justification for spending the extra money if you have it.

 

[rafezetter]

Looks like Naz and I will have to draw lots for it ...

Not so fast sonny jim - I also think it's excellent - but then I'd love to have a quirky gothic house with secret doors and slides, ever seen the film Casper? I'd LOVE that house.

 

[Benchwayze]

I never realised Grayson Perry had that much common-sense. Strange remarks for an artist though.

With opinions like that, why does he mess with brushes and canvas and paint, when he has camera and printer at his disposal! Probably because he wants to? :?

And the 3D version even produces sculptures! 8)

 

[Benchwayze]

Just back from a splendid weekend at a ukulele festival, where there were of course loads of production instruments and quite a few hand-made ones (for the pedants, of which I'm one, production instruments are hand made to a degree, but only by putting together standard components rather than crafting each element to the best of the maker's ability). A decent production uke starts at £100-£150, a luthier made one goes from £350 upwards.

As a music-making tool the £150 instrument is perfectly adequate - it plays and sounds nicely, and the audience hears very little difference compared to the luthier instrument.

But for the more skilled player, the luthier built instrument feels and sounds better in indefinable ways. I think that, as a consequence, it helps them give a better performance. And for the less-accomplished player there seems to be a psychological element - they will try more complex music and maybe succeed.

So there is a functional difference if you take the player perspective, but none really from the audience perspective.

Add to that the pleasure in ownership, knowledge of the skill used in making it, admiration of peers, and I see a justification for spending the extra money if you have it.

From the guitar standpoint, I know high end instruments like Gibson, and Guild are more comfortable to play Chris; and this is even more marked with hand built instruments.
One day I might be able to afford something like that! [-o<

 

[NickWelford]

Very nicely made, but not for me, I'm afraid.

 

[worn thumbs]

I think its great that somebody has gone past the tyranny of regular geometry and made something unique.I wouldn't want it as a timepiece as a quartz clock does the job better.In a similar vein,a few years back I bought a facsimile reprint of "The Gentleman and Cabinetmakers Director" in a sale and there isn't a single piece that I would give house room-however well it was made.

 

[gregmcateer]

Amazing work, for sure.
Obviously ain't going to be everybody's cuppa, but surely all of us on here can appreciate great workmanship, even if it is an indulgence. (The recent Two Lawyers' saw springs to mind as an astonishingly lovingly and carefully made item, all but superceded by mass-produced off the shelf kit that will do the job, if not as well or as satisfyingly).

 

[YorkshireMartin]

Amazing work, for sure.
Obviously ain't going to be everybody's cuppa, but surely all of us on here can appreciate great workmanship, even if it is an indulgence. (The recent Two Lawyers' saw springs to mind as an astonishingly lovingly and carefully made item, all but superceded by mass-produced off the shelf kit that will do the job, if not as well or as satisfyingly).

indulgence is right, but what really struck me about this guy is that he's an artist/sculptor but obviously has expert knowledge of multiple materials, woodworking and horology. Quite a talented fellow to say the least.

 

[Alexam]

I'm surprised how many don't like this. I think it is absolutely fantastic and would have it like a shot. However, if it were ever sold, I expect the price tag would be prohibitive, but what a geat item of furniture. Even though it may not fit in with most people's furnishing, as it is unique, I would find a suitable place to show off such a superb design. Well done Edward Darchuk, who's other items on his site are outstanding. He has a 'special' way of thinking.

The only problem may be to remember to wind it up at the right intervals, particularly when away on holiday.

Malcolm