Clamshell Alchemist sculptural lamp
Clamshell Alchemist sculptural lamp
Hand-carved oak clamshell that opens to reveal a light source shining up from the lower shell.
The shell holds a glass dish filled with translucent ceramics that glow with the light.
You open the clamshell by turning a brass handle connected to a rack and pinion gear mechanism. The upper clamshell moves through 80 degrees, from closed to wide open.
Hand-engineered limited edition of 100
Oak, anodised aluminium, stainless steel, brass, glass, concrete and bone china fragments
Size of a medium cat (50 cm tall x 27 cm wide, 55 cm deep)
Weighs 10kg
240V 50Hz mains powered, GX53 LED bulb
Supplied with optional bone china fragments
Locations: table-top design for residential and hospitality
Designed and handmade by Dan Morrison
Inspiration: Clamshells, oysters and pearls, incubators, nests, alchemy, space colonies, nurturing, protecting, hidden secrets and the slow reveal
Clamshell Alchemist lamps are handmade to order, with a lead time of 4-8 weeks. If you would like to try one out before committing please get in touch and we will arrange for you to borrow a demonstration Clamshell.
You can pay in full, or pay a deposit of £195 and the remainder following delivery. Get in touch if you would like to arrange this
Please contact us if you would like to discuss details or alternative ways of ordering. See our information on:
Background
For a while we had been playing around with the idea of encasing a light in some sort of solid container. We wanted something that emitted glimmers of light when opened throwing shafts of light into the surroundings.
We wanted this slow revealing to give a sense of something more inside, like another world, or something precious or alive, and create a sense of anticipation and a desire to know more. So we took this notion and combined it with the industrial telescoping circular beam structure from the Crane lamp, and added an upward pointing light source in the lower shell which shines through a translucent material, giving a sense of energy and life to this inner space. We added a hand-beaten copper reflector for the top shell to reflect the light back and forth, mixing it up and giving additional tones. And to project light into the room as the clamshell opens up wider.
We are very pleased with the way this has all come together and we feel we have created a table lamp with an unusual beauty and intriguing allure.
In the words of a customer…
“During the latter part of last year I had the pleasure of dealing with Dan at BLOTT WORKS by phone, email and in person while he was building a Jodrell nixie clock and a Clamshell Alchemist lamp for me.
The whole experience from beginning to end was an absolute pleasure. Dan is so enthusiastic about his creations and happy to answer questions and discuss detail which makes the whole process so exciting.
Despite excellent photos, constant email updates and even ‘build along videos’ actually seeing the end product in person is a completely different experience. You can really feel the presence of the piece and the see the tiny details which make up the ‘feel’ of the whole thing.
The clock has an amazing bringing together of 1950’s nixie tubes and 2020 technology encapsulated in Dan’s unique design, oh and it tells the time. As for the Clamshell Alchemist lamp, it’s just magical, you will have to buy one and see!
Sometimes when you buy a relatively expensive item after a few weeks ‘buyer remorse’ sets in but I can honestly say that I love my clock and lamp and appreciate them a little more each day, constantly seeing more interest and intrigue in them. The only downside is you do tend to spend a lot of time just staring at them.
I can really recommend Dan and his creations and if you like what you see go ahead and buy it, you won’t regret it.”
Caring for you Clamshell Alchemist
If you already own a Clamshell and would like to know more about how to care for it, have a look at the notes on our Care Guides page or contact us with any questions.