Just beautiful objects

Just beautiful objects

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ChemicalChaos

Original Poster:

10,388 posts

160 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
I haven't seen any threads like this, so I thought I'd start one. A thread for pictures (and descriptions) of simply beautiful bits of design and crafting.

I'll start with this example:




The “Studley" Tool Chest

Master craftsman Henry O. Studley (1838-1925) was an organ and piano maker, carpenter, and mason. He is best known for building this incredible tool chest during his tenure at the Poole Piano Company in Massachusetts, working on it over the course of 30 years. Using ebony, mother-of-pearl, ivory, rosewood, and mahogany – all materials used in the manufacture of pianos – he refined the chest to the point that, even now in the 21st century, it is still in a class by itself.

The Studley Tool Chest holds 300 tools, yet measures only 9 in. deep, 39 in. high, and 18 in. wide, when closed (22.86 x 99.06 x 45.72 cm). Every tool has a custom-made holder to keep it in place, many with beautiful inlay, and tiny clasps that rotate for easy access. As the chest folds closed, tools from the left side nestle precisely between tools on the right side.

Edited by ChemicalChaos on Tuesday 22 December 21:33

TheJimi

24,977 posts

243 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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That is pretty damned awesome.

Looks like he was a mason as well.

grumpy52

5,574 posts

166 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
When I worked for a tool supplier in the early 70's we still used to get tool kits in the catalogues, wonderful things they were , joiners kits,
carpenters kits, tractor machanics kits .

Tony2or4

1,283 posts

165 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Just seen this car on the Life has Been Draining Lately thread, and I think it fits the criteria for this thread:




BTW I've no idea what car this is - anybody know?

vx220

2,689 posts

234 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
You should see the "cabinet" I "built" to hide our gas meter...

...a similar level of craftsmanship, and according to swmbo, took a similar amount of time to complete!!!

ChemicalChaos

Original Poster:

10,388 posts

160 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Tony2or4 said:
Just seen this car on the Life has Been Draining Lately thread, and I think it fits the criteria for this thread:




BTW I've no idea what car this is - anybody know?
I'm the one who posted it!

It's the 1936 Pacey-Hassan special - a custom-bodied 3-litre Bentley chassis with a tuned 4.5 litre Le Mans engine. It was developed by legendary engineer Walter Hassan (of ERA and Jaguar fame) for the wealthy gentleman racer Bill Pacey, and would regularly lap Brooklands at 130mph.

Up until a few years ago, it was owned by Julian Mazjub and frequently raced in VSCC events - but it was sold in 2010 for north of $2million and hasnt been seen very much since.

It also looks even more beautiful in race trim without the gawky lights and mudguards - just pure art-deco design:





Edited by ChemicalChaos on Friday 16th May 23:06

Chunkymonkey71

13,015 posts

198 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Good thread, Matt!

I was tempted to stick a picture of Kinga in...

ClassicMotorNut

2,438 posts

138 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
I don't have any photos, but if I did I would post lots of old clocks where you can see all the cogs and big telescopes.

Huntsman

8,050 posts

250 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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The naval architect that designed this boat happened to own a Delage, for about 40 years, that once the French GP in 1927, fabulous thing, on departing this mortal coil he bequethed it to Brooklands, any how, I asked him one day how he managed to make the Huntsman 28 such a beautiful thing, in a terribly British and understated way he said 'I used a French curve'...



I've be custodian for 12 happy years.

Vaud

50,448 posts

155 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
One of your better threads, Matt. More like this and no DM links smile

ChemicalChaos

Original Poster:

10,388 posts

160 months

Friday 16th May 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, glad to see I can finally do something right!

Huntsman - that is indeed a very pretty boat smile

Reminds me of my all-time favourite boat, and what was going to be one of the next few subjects of this thread:








An astonishingly beautiful example of all the is right with Italian style and craftsmanship, the Riva Aquarama was launched in 1962. The most famous of Carlo Riva’s designs, today's Aquariva still bears a strong resemblance to its legendary forebear.

The hull was sheathed in heavily varnished mahogany and accentuated with just enough chromed metal detailing (plated with 30 microns of chrome, when the norm on car bumpers was 5 microns). The interior was trimmed in a combination of white and sky blue leather, again with chrome accents. The twin engines ranged from standard smallblock Buick V8s, up to a pair of DOHC V12 Lamborghini engines in one particular Aquarama.

I want one of these boats so much that it hurts!

g3org3y

20,627 posts

191 months

Friday 16th May 2014
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I doubt there will ever been a prettier designed aircraft.

Profile of the BMW 328 Millie Miglia isn't too shabby either


Edited by g3org3y on Saturday 17th May 00:04

DUMBO100

1,878 posts

184 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
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I have to admit that I don't know a great deal about tool chests or boats but the design of these objects is stunning. I'm not sure that I know what a "French Curve" is but I want one

rxtx

6,016 posts

210 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
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Talbot-Lago T150C SS, very League of Gentlemen,



anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
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CC the Riva boats are a work of art! Lake Garda was awash with this type of boat when I last went, what luxury.
I also like the slipper launch type of boat, the gently tapering deck and the lustrous varnished timber detailing, such craftsmanship.

anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
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As far as cars go I can't think of a prettier 'new' car than the Eagle Low Drag GT in polished stainless steel.

El Guapo

2,787 posts

190 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Short or long tail, that is the question



Justaredbadge

37,068 posts

188 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
Short.

rxtx

6,016 posts

210 months

Saturday 17th May 2014
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Good call, particularly from the rear.

El Guapo said:
Short or long tail, that is the question
... Both smile

On the Porsche theme, 550 Coupe Panamericana,