The Cog of Acceptance

Comment

Comment by Ryan Grimm on May 8, 2013 at 11:57am

I have found a MOST useful site that directs you to tea rooms and tea suppliers in the USA:
http://greattearoomsofamerica.com/default.asp

We were directed to it by Sarah and Brad, the owners of FANCY THAT, a tea room in Brockton MA.  Lovely people, nice to chat with.

Comment by Tinker on April 19, 2013 at 2:41am

Our multi cultural steampunk series:

http://kck.st/10D694a

 

 

Comment by Professor Argon Bats on April 8, 2013 at 10:52am

Ah, the pains of eBay. I still have the occasional pang of regret about a large dinnerware set of the most exquisite German 1890s art nouveau design, in excellent silver plated condition. It even had fish knives, pastry forks, and serving pieces. And bouillon spoons. *weeps* Someone else was faster than me at the keyboard and I kicked myself that I did not bid higher... it went for a very reasonable price, for what it was. Oh well. Does that make me a materialist, or an esthete?

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 8, 2013 at 7:20am

Dear Mr Ryan Grimm

The four spout brass whale oil lamp variety do turn up from time to time (x2 listed on eBay.co.uk currently from Portugal) whether repro or original I am unsure, but are still well outside my meagre budgetary constraints.  I'm still kicking myself for failing to purchase one (inc. tools)  I saw on  a buy-it-now for £12.00 ($20 approx.).  He who hesitates is lost. I can be patient, I'll get one...eventually, I waited over thirty years to get a taxidermy hawksbill turtle at a price I could afford.  Patience is not only a virtue, it is a budgetary necessity sometimes. 

Comment by Ryan Grimm on April 8, 2013 at 5:40am

Professor, I wish you well on your quest for the four-spout lamp.  You will have a climb ahead of you.
I saw recently a two-spout replica, but could not get details of it's manufacture.  Since the burners were of rather crude workmanship, it is not impossible for someone of your skills to fabricate one...the problem being finding the appropriate vessel for the oil.

I have an English hand-blown glass whale-oil lamp, very nice, and safely converted to electricity (not 'electrocuted' as some convertors do)....circa 1840-50.

And YES, there is some ancient whale oil out there; a few months ago I overheard another dealer talking about a wooden case he bought that has a dozen bottles in it, ancient and intact.
I don't recommend it due to the expense and smell, not to mention the terrible sooting.
The wicks also needed nearly constant attention....but that is what servants are for, after all.

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 7, 2013 at 4:12am

Dear  Professor Argon Bats I thank you for your kind comment.  I will endeavour to pace myself & continue to drip feed examples of my work & from my collection for others interest, amusement & hopefully inspiration, in the same way I have been inspired to Tinkering by observing the creations of others works which I admire.

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 7, 2013 at 3:30am

Ha! There's me talking through my hat again. I 'thought' the Venus basket below was 'made' by the pair of shrimps which inhabit it.  Turns out it is a sponge skeleton which the pair of shrimp inhabit in a symbiotic relationship with the sponge...who knew?

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 7, 2013 at 3:01am

An offering from my 'Cabinet of Curiosities', a Venus basket. 

 

This incredibly fragile joy is created by a pair of mating shrimps which weave the basket from their own secretions & in doing so become trapped inside the basket weave, mated for life.  Their offspring are small enough to escape through the weave. These love baskets or 'Venus baskets' traditionally given as wedding gifts in the far East, as a symbol of marriage , like the shrimps lasting together forever.  The decoupage box I decorated myself to contain this most fragile joy of natures creation.

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 7, 2013 at 2:51am

Dear Lady. Cog may I thank you for your kind comment. I also admire your fun whizzy little cog gif.

Comment by Prof. Boffins Bunker on April 7, 2013 at 2:48am

Dear Mr Ryan Grimm I thank you for your comment. May I also applaud you on your knowledge of oil lamps & thank you for sharing your insight.  I have been attempting to get a four spout brass whale oil lamp myself for a number of years.     

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