Work Wagon

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These photos depict one of the earlier miniature models and accessories within Jonathan and Arlene Bailey's Copper and Bronze Age. The wood rails and wheels are made of copper and those products which represent wood or leather or rope are made from metal. All of the wood grain was created by hand and/or with a tiny jewelers drill and bit. Some items were notched or cut with a Jeweler's saw. Jonathan used a very small torch to solder connections together.
The second photo depicts a water bucket with removable lid and water cup.
The third photo depicts the removable railing.
The fourth photo shows the block and tackle. After more than forty years this Made In USA tool still functions.
As a child, Jonathan enjoyed building models of all types up until his adolescent years. Jonathan built model airplanes, sailboats, and cars. These Copper and Bronze Age models represent Jonathan’s reconnection with that lost childhood hobby of his. Jonathan built these miniature models in his downtime between other works of art. For example, Jonathan would work on these models while the casting cement dried or the casting ovens preheated for the melting of the fine jewelry wax models. The ovens required heating in stages so the quality of these miniatures reveal Jonathan’s preoccupation with more important tasks.
Jonathan and Arlene agreed that these works of art would be defined as handmade and remain within this classification as much as possible. Jonathan’s journey within the creation of these models would change over time but still remain breathtaking amidst the transformation of common materials into exclamations of beauty and desire which would ultimately capture the viewer’s heart. Within Jonathan and Arlene’s Copper and Bronze Age, Jonathan created two sizes of models which consisted of miniature and small sized models and the large and larger sized models. These two groups of models will be defined as small and large. All of Jonathan’s earlier models, whether the small or large sized models had a higher content of the precious metals of copper, brass and bronze, and contained minimal leather, glass, and paint, or none at all. All of the models created within the Copper and Bronze Age retained the one of a kind prestige and many would retain the handmade classification within its purest form which this husband and wife team had become so well known for within their design and manufacturing career. The earliest models of the two groups were usually the smallest in size and ninety nine percent of those creations were mainly copper that was hand shaped with minimal machine contact or tooling. The earliest models experienced no machining at all or had no more machining other than a drill or frictional bit from Jonathan’s electric rotary jeweler’s tool. As the industrial age progressed throughout the world, so did Jonathan’s models. As a purists Jonathan and Arlene had a vision for this work but Arlene’s vision within this Age did not change and she would continue to encourage Jonathan to adhere to the principals within the couple’s professional, and acknowledged artistic expressions within their partnership. The rejection of any manufactured material other than glass for the windows and leather for the seating should be adhered to. Initially, wheels were manufactured from copper and fashioned into a circle, or cast from pewter and then turned smooth on Jonathan’s lathe, but later models would include steel and rubber. Arlene would continue to object to the addition of materials which she called “fillers”. The earliest models utilized copper fashioned to appear as wood but as time progressed a compromise was made. That compromise was to include rare or fine specimens of redwood, rosewood, cedar or teak. However, oak also found a home within the collection. The earliest models included upholstery constructed of rigid copper or a brass mesh but later models included upholstery from leather and may include foam underneath the seating and wall areas to create greater luxury. This remarkable balance between the two artists’ desires for tradition and progress would go fourth to produce a collection of beauty never seen before. This exquisite and rare collection consists of a functional model guillotine, horse drawn wagons and coaches with cook stoves, bedding, tools and accessories, and an outhouse. Later models consisted of steam cars and trains, street cars and busses, opulent roadsters and limousines, a beer truck and a Fire truck, a trailer, a gypsy wagon, and a motorcycle with sidecar. Almost all of the large sized models included a glass case. The earliest of glass cases were made by Jonathan and utilized copper trim, and additional materials for the cases’ structure. Later, a very few cases were made for Jonathan’s models by a local artist employed within the stained glass industry, these cases utilized soldered edges with no additional supports. Jonathan quickly learned this construction technic and began manufacturing his own glass cases. It is unknown how many of the large models did not incorporate a glass case, but it is believed to be as few as three. These works of art are worthy of the world’s attention and will never be duplicated again. Many of Jonathan’s large models were purchased by individuals and or temporarily displayed in a local museum.
These images remain the property of Franz Joseph Bailey and all rights are reserved. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.