Kaleidoscope - Mandala in Copper by Hiroshi Wakabayashi (oil cell 2M 8P)
This is Hiroshi Wakabayashi's handheld oil cell kaleidoscope appropriately named Mandala. The copper body of the scope is enhanced by torching the copper to create colorful heat patinas offering an antique look. The body is further enhanced with a series of colorful glass beads and stones set in a gold epoxy. The artist has stamped the name of the scope into the gold epoxy along the body.
The smooth turning oil cell, embellished with loops of copper wiring, contains tiny pieces of colorful glass and polarized beads creating a rainbow of color inside. This kaleidoscope has a 2 mirror system with a 8 point mandala.
This handcrafted Japanese kaleidoscope is 7-1/2" long, 1-3/4" wide at the object cell end (not including the wire wrapping) and 1-1/2" wide at the eye piece end. A custom wooden base is included.