Dennis
26-05-2010, 04:50 PM
Sometimes I have to make gifts other than jewellery, so I hope that you will be entertained by these mechanical cats.
The first has a fly on a very thin wire, crimped into a tube at the back of its head. The head is loose and has a long spike which passes through a hole in a turntable hidden in the plinth. When the handle is turned the cat’s head appears to follow the fly. This was inspired by a craft worker who regularly showed a range of wooden toys at fairs. His version was of a man, but I argued that it should have been a cat. I have not seen him around recently and only wish I could acknowledge him by name.
The second was made as a retirement present for a much loved teacher. It is my take on those Japanese lucky cats. The boat shaped pendulum at the base is connected to the raised paw and when you nudge it the paw waves. I hope it has not ended up in her kitchen drawer. Dennis
The first has a fly on a very thin wire, crimped into a tube at the back of its head. The head is loose and has a long spike which passes through a hole in a turntable hidden in the plinth. When the handle is turned the cat’s head appears to follow the fly. This was inspired by a craft worker who regularly showed a range of wooden toys at fairs. His version was of a man, but I argued that it should have been a cat. I have not seen him around recently and only wish I could acknowledge him by name.
The second was made as a retirement present for a much loved teacher. It is my take on those Japanese lucky cats. The boat shaped pendulum at the base is connected to the raised paw and when you nudge it the paw waves. I hope it has not ended up in her kitchen drawer. Dennis