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Ronald J. Wyancko: Pill Box
Each compartment in the body of the box was made from a 1"-square sheet of 17-gauge (.045") fine silver that was dapped into a steel die using a round punch. The 28 sections were then soldered together and a diamond-shaped piece of gold was soldered at each intersection. The compartments were then soldered into the frame. The pill box has a hinge and tackle box-like catch on the front. A work of art or metalsmithing must ultimately stand on its own merits. The hard work, precious materials, and technical achievements count for little if the design does not reflect a significant personal form of expression within the life and times of this last part of the 20th century. Photo: Arling Photography Made of sterling, fine silver, and 14 karat gold, the box is about 6" long x 4" wide x ¾" deep. Ron describes the enormous effort that went into this project: My pill box was completed over a one-year period. I had to restart the project because I was not pleased with the compartments I had made for the inside. The design time for the cast sections of the lid was immense. My work was sporadic at best and there were long periods when I did not have a chance to work. It became a giant soldering project; there are over one hundred soldered parts using hard, medium, and easy solders, as well as some gold solder. The pill box was made insections and then each section was soldered together. For example, the models for the cast sections in the lid were carved from hard wax, cast, and soldered together. Gold elements were soldered on, then chased and engraved before the entire component was soldered into the lid. |
