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Lot 042 - view 3
David Belser - "Gear Box"
A locking mechanical box. Materials: Mahogany, Ebony, Pink Ivory, Cherry, copper leaf. Size: 3 3/4" D x 4 1/4" H. The box consists of three parts, a cover that protects the locking mechanism, the locking lid and the box itself. The lid consists of 3 planetary gears that engage the ring gear of the box. Each has a lock tumbler that prevents the gear from turning unless unlocked. The sun gear is attached to the handle which you twirl (after unlocking the gears) to open the box. This causes the lid to rotate around and unscrew from the thread (below the ring gear inside the box). The box is made up of 44 wooden parts.
This box is a follow-on to "Safe Box", where I first used this locking mechanism. I have been fascinated by small intricate mechanical devices since I was a kid. What I love about these boxes is the action and sound when turning the dials and the contrast of the engineered complexity yet wooden construction.