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  1. #1
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    Default Attention Box Makers - An unusual Commission

    Attention Box Makers - A Commission

    Is anyone willing to make a custom-made Apothecary Box for me?
    It could have a swing-out cover / lid with pull out drawers. Something that emulates this historic box ie that looks like this a large book?

    Here is what I mean .... 16th-Century Poison Cabinet Created from Hollowed Out Book

    But I don't need a bottle holder inside. All drawers and externals along the lines of this. No silver knobs required but the olde genuine appearance and labels as I hope to have them added as well as Latin names for contents etc.

    I would like the drawers to hold small vials in drilled round recesses, or in square partitions, allowing each drawer to hold 2-3 layers of vials.

    Your ideas to help me refine the idea, select a preferred design, select materials and estimate total cost up front is invited.

    Alternatively, a book-looking box with swing up lid, no draws but covered & labelled compartments would be easier and more like box makers are used to making.

    Function & beauty of design come first, although some woodwork skills in quality manufacture and finishing is required.
    I want this to be an interesting heirloom item.

    This is a serious request, please share your ideas/comments and questions here. Thank you.

    It would be for me to contain and display selected, historic medicinals and pharmaceutical raw materials in small 100 yo vials

    Euge

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  3. #2
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    Jun 2015
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    Mexico. Actual Mexico not Victoria.
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    Default

    Hi Euge.

    As a sculptor & furniture maker I certainly have the capacity to execute this commission.

    Could you PM me an anticipated "ball park" budget estimate please.

  4. #3
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    Hi Feckit,

    Have sent you a PM. I invite other members with novel ideas, critcisms & comments or limiations for consideration to make them. The budget is reasonably flexible if design really appeals.

    Two basic design ideas are provided and a historic example which can be used as a model or improved on. I'm NOT in a hurry for this piece, perhaps by May 2020?

    Clearly size, materials, finish, safety / security of contents (from kids mostly), sturdiness of contents as well as impact of design on budget will be considered. There are no liquids involved. May post a pic later of two or more old vials I refer to as examples with a scale.

    Cheers, Euge

    edit: A picture is shown in the link provided in first post.

  5. #4
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    Auckland New Zealand
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    Sounds like an interesting project, I certainly wouldn't mind giving it a go. I reckon on of the criteria is that the "build" should be detailed here on the forum with plenty of photos for all to follow progress.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by botesmj1 View Post
    Sounds like an interesting project, I certainly wouldn't mind giving it a go. I reckon on of the criteria is that the "build" should be detailed here on the forum with plenty of photos for all to follow progress.
    Sounds good to me. I don't mind, especially if others benefit from it or if something innovative is presented in concept, during building and at the end.

    Euge

  7. #6
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    An absolutely OUTSTANDING project.

    I look forward to seeing how it all pans out. Pictures, please!

  8. #7
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    I reckon follow your original idea of the book standing upright. Depending on the size of the vials/ depth of the drawers make it symmetrical, i.e. Both sides of the book of equal thickness. That way you have rows of drawers on both sides. The hardware etc for the hinge can be hid away using a leather cover over the outsides. That will also allow for some embossing on the leather cover.

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by botesmj1 View Post
    I reckon follow your original idea of the book standing upright. Depending on the size of the vials/ depth of the drawers make it symmetrical, i.e. Both sides of the book of equal thickness. That way you have rows of drawers on both sides. The hardware etc for the hinge can be hid away using a leather cover over the outsides. That will also allow for some embossing on the leather cover.
    Hmmmm...I briefly considered the idea of an embossed leather exterior but that would add a lot of cost and hide the wood (although it adds interest) so it is a possibility. Not looking for a reproduction or copy. Was thinking of an all wood exterior & construction unless I can be convinced otherwise. The link inspired the concept for something similar I could use. A concept of a book-like box in shape and profile ie with a cover that's a lid but with drawers (as shown) that I was considering. The lay down concept with tradional lid is easier probably for boxmakers as its more conventional.

    As its about medical / chemical / pharmaceutical history, something suitable should be chosen wrt materials. Maybe even a figured camphor wood box?

    Now to the historic vials I promised to show. Here are few representative ones below. The glass is thin and weak, unlike modern borosilicate glass.
    Some have old pigments and dyes. Other, have samples of plant extracts and early crude medicinals.
    The sizes of these cork stoppered vials is about 17-18 mm diam x 60 mm (with cork tops). There are about 150-200 of these exotica (some very unusual to say the least )

    The two modern (empty) vials with yellow and black caps are shown into which I plan to contain and display some unusual mineral gemstone material.
    Material I have found from nature (eg aurum) over the years. They are about 15 mm x 50 mm long with caps.

    Vials 1.jpg Vials 2.jpg


    Vials 3.jpg

  10. #9
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    Feb 2016
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    Keep me up to date Eugene.

    My son is heavily into Dungeons and Dragons, he works with me in the business. This is the kind of thing he is aiming for. He has already some advanced plans for multiple projects just like this.

    I'm going to talk to him about this at dinner tonight. It would make for an awesome project. In the AD&D community this would be a smash hit.

  11. #10
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    Default Book Like Box Example

    Here is a book-like box a Canadian IWCS friend made for me some 20 years ago. Its was not long after an unusual shrub attracted a lot of attention for its unusual patterned heartwood. (The species in native to Siberia but has become naturalised in Canada where its know by its genus name Caragana or Siberian Pea (Caragana arborea).) I have always treasured this box, and used if for contain old photos and correspondence. Its about 320 x 240 x 50 mm.

    The lids shows narrow pieces of Caragana edge-joined for the lid, showing the dramatic heartwood and yellow sapwood. Lid thickness is about 4 mm comprising 5 strips of Caragana, stable with near invisible joins , though not book-matched as shrub stem size does not allow that.

    It shows a grey suede leather hinge which has stood up very well especially with the brass stay chain which allows it to open to about 120 degrees. What is also interesting is the natural edge spline and how the impression of the edges of pages was achieved using and showing (or enhancing) selected wood grain. Hope it comes out as my artificial lighting is not ideal.

    Its one idea of a book-like box that a friend made, that may stimulate design ideas for others.

    Pics shortly ....

  12. #11
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    Default Book Like Box Example

    OK here is a book-like box, not suitable for my purpose with the olde vials but it shows how one friend went about it.
    It was primarily a way of displaying an unusual wood maybe because I do a lot of writing.

    The lid.....and how its hinged simply, with leather, without metal hinges .. and its stood the test of time.

    Carag lid1.jpg Carag lid 2.jpg Hinge 1.jpg Hinge 2.jpg Pages1.jpg Pages 2.jpg

    The book pages

    Inside .jpg

    Inside with metal chain

    PS: This is to show design of this book box. Wood Colour is much nicer in real life. Colour reproduction here is poor, taken in indoor lighting

  13. #12
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    Dear Boxmakers,

    Some of you have made comments and expressed some interest and even asked some questions but no one has offered any DESIGN IDEAS & SUGGESTED associated and estimated costs.

    If you intend to do so or have a serious interest, please let me know. As you have seen I’ve provided some ideas on function or purpose but need box makers input. Although I am not in a hurry, some feedback would help so I don't look elsewhere. If there is a problem with this request or commission let me know.

    Euge

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