It was late at night in the West Dean workshop when I decided to make a little toy automaton for my husband Thomas for Christmas one year.
As we both love foxes and I was literally an ocean away, I decided to make a little fox on a boat at sea.
As you turn the handle the waves go up and down and the ship rocks to and fro.
A central arbor with eccentric brass discs controls the motion of the waves and boat.
After whittling them from wood, the waves were stained with oil paint and the fox painted with acrylics. The ship was from a jumble sale. When I acquired it, the masts were broken and hull damaged. After some repairs the ship was back in sailing order.
Once assembled, I found the waves were a bit heavy and required counter weights. These were made from brass cylinders soldered to pins fixed to the waves. After adding the filed taper pin to secure the arbor to the box wood frame, I gave the handle a little turn and was pleased.
As the finishing touch I added a little gold tassel curtain in front.
Great story! There’s got to be a children’s story somewhere in there. 🙂 I know Thomas is still thrilled every time he sees it.
Thanks Mark! I would like to think so… Although my stories might be a bit too weird for children. I have always thought I might write a book of children’s tales about a character named Old Man Tate.