"the Photonic Siphuncle: a table lamp " - wood, various metals, mica, and assorted electronics

"The Photonic Siphuncle: a table-top apparatus that collects ambient photons, siphoning them into a translucent storage vessel. "

This piece was included in the Steampunk Form & Function II exhibit at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Boston, Massachusetts. An entry requirement was that the artwork include salvaged, repurposed parts. As a direct result, the Photonic Siphuncle is my first assemblage sculpture, made from some old aluminum castings and a bellows sleeve I found at a salvage yard. After sandblasting the disassembled parts, the construction and extensive modifications began.

All the brass mounting plates, and the light grill body are handmade, as is the black walnut pedestal. The red cast iron knobs function as the on/off controls, the small hand-inked voltmeter functions, and a small internal cooling fan keeps the insides cool.

The bellows also function quietly with a slow 4 rpm pumping action.

For questions about commissioning a similar piece like the Photonic Siphuncle, please contact me for details.

"the Tessaquinary: a table lamp " - wood, various metals, mica, and assorted electronics

This lamp is named after my daughter Tessa.

The central light cage slowly rotates, its action controlled by the second, small knob on the top lid. Also, the electrical meter functions, energizing when the light is turned on with the larger knob. Other than the panel meter electrics, motor, rotary switches, and some standard fittings, every part is hand-made.

Of possible interest: there are 280 holes in the central light cage, all bored one at a time on a drill press.

For questions about commissioning your own Tessaquinary Table Lamp, please contact me for details.

"the Mystarium: a table lamp " - wood, various metals, mica, and assorted electronics

The Mystarium was the result of a commission from a gentleman with a specific vision: he desired a Pentarium lamp, but wanted it to fit aesthetically into Blue Sky's Myst computer game environment. A lot of research and experimentation was done with this surface pallet in mind. As a direct result, some new techniques were implemented, including gilding, cold plating, and the use of various chemical patinas and color stains.

This lamp is not "assemblage art". Rather, every part is hand-made for its specific application within the overall design (other than the obvious screws, nuts, and the modified panel meters). The round black walnut and brass knobs at the top of the primary light tube are the rotary control switches, and they are integrated with the panel meters: one labeled Luminous Flux, and the other Aesthesis. There are two modes of illumination: one is general task lighting, the other is a night light.

As with all the pieces on this page, no adhesives are used in the assembly of the various parts (meaning, for example, this copper fitting is not glued to that wood plate). Rather, every part is attached mechanically: this lamp can be disassembled in its entirety with a screwdriver, allen wrench, and a socket set.

For questions about commissioning your own Mystarium Table Lamp, please contact me for details.

"the Braxtonian Lantern: a wall sconce " - mahogany wood, brass, glass, copper, mica, cast resin, and various electronics

This piece is named after my son Braxton. This light fixture hangs on the wall, and the lantern cylinder is illuminated while slowly rotating. It was specifically made to hang above the fireplace in my library, and was designed to be viewed from a 3/4 angle (from where one is seated within the room).

The three layers of back plates are made from mahogany: the top layer is natural, the middle is ebonized, and the back layer is painted with a bronze metallizer and various color washes. The pulley on the lantern light cylinder is also made of mahogany, and is the most complex single part I've made to date. The round brass and mahogany knob at the top of the sculpture is the on/off switch.

For questions about commissioning your own Braxtonian Lantern, please contact me for details.

"the Pentarium: a table lamp " - steel, copper, brass, mica, acrylic, black walnut, and various electronics

The Pentarium is a result of requests for a lamp that generates actual task lighting- something more than just accent lighting. There are two rotary switches; one actuates the primary light bulbs, the second smaller knob turns on the mica illumination within the primary body. The electrical gauges are also energized and function when the lights are turned on.

Again, every piece of this lamp is either handmade, or extensively modified store-bought parts (mainly some of the brass fittings and the gauges). The two yokes that encircle the primary body are made of black walnut, and require some 14 machining operations. The lathe-turned top and bottom caps of the primary body, the knobs, and the lamp fixture yokes are also made of black walnut, but have been ebonized.

These lamps are available in antiqued brass, antiqued nickel, and black lacquer. The above example has a black lacquer finish. The lamp stands around 44 inches tall, and can be disassembled in its entirety with a screwdriver.

For questions about commissioning your own Pentarium, please contact me for details.

"the Cylindrium: a table lamp " - steel, copper, mica, black walnut, and various electronics

This is an accent light, not intended for general illumination. In the evenings, it puts off an absolutely beautiful glow.

These lamps are available in antiqued brass, antiqued nickel, and black lacquer. The above example has an antiqued brass finish. The lamp stands around 36 inches tall, and can be disassembled in its entirety with a screwdriver.

For questions about commissioning your own Cylindrium, please contact me for details.

"the Orrery Chandelier " - steel, mica, glass, turned wood finials, and various electronics

This Orrery was a commissioned light fixture, made for a specific room in the clients new home. She had requested the construction of a chandelier made in the form of an orrery (a model of the solar system). I presented three design variants, and to my pleasure, she selected the most stylized, reflected in the above photos.

All parts are fabricated from mild steel rod, flat bar, or sheet metal. The rings are designed to look heavy, but in fact are very lightweight. The lamps themselves (representing the planets) are mounted to the orbital rings with spherical washers, to allow for the placement of specific illumination. The integral turnbuckles are functional, and enable the truing of the lamp as it hangs during installation. The central double conical structure (representing the sun) splits in half upon removal of the bottom finial, to reveal access to the internal lightbulbs.

Originally, a light ring was fabricated representing Mars, but it was eliminated due to size constraints: the ring was some four feet in diameter and deemed too large for the room.

For questions about commissioning your own Orrery Chandelier, or something like it, please contact me for details.