This is just a quick WIP of the tower build as I took a couple of photos as I went.
I started with the base and shaped this including the shallow flutes at the top which came about by accident, I also drilled the holes for the copper nails at this point
The first spray of ebonising spray which was sanded back two or three times to give the effect that I wanted
The base complete.
The top started out as an end grain bowl with a small tenon on the bottom to fit into the matching mortise in the base. The inside was not the same thickness throughout as it became thicker towards the base this was done on purpose to achieve the effect I wanted
The side panels are cut out to the desired shape you can see the thickness now the sides are removed
Not sure of the texture I wanted for the outside of the top a test piece was created and ebonised to show the full effect of different burrs and the like
As can be seen on this photo you can see which I chose I did forget to mention the holes were drill while it was still on the lathe these will be plugged and textured to match the rest. Before I did the texture I did burn the lines about 1/4" away from the edge
The eye was turned and given a coat of ebonising spray as this helps enhance the gold paint I was using which can be seen applied to the inside of the top as well as the eye after I had masked everything up
The eye went through many attempts until I settle on this one as I had to sand it all back and burn the radiating lines the re applied the ebonising spray and rubbing in some gold gilt.
The clear acrylic rod was cut into two pieces this I found was the best way to get it into the eye without getting glue everey where they are inserted in from each end and the two wooden plugs to fill the holes.
These wher sanded and textured to match the outside before masking the eye and inside and touching up the black o the outside.
The top was glued to the bottom at this stage and when all had time to dry Micro-crystalline wax applied all over. See the finished item HERE