December 16, 2024

The Story of Theophilus H. Wright - a New Work by Nigel Williams

Nigel Williams narrative sculptures always have a story to tell. He tells us that a new piece, "Theophilus H. Wright Cobweb Scavenger" is nearing completion and shares it's story with us

"Theophilus H. Wright is designed to tackle one of those particularly awkward requirements in the Edwardian household: that of removing all those dratted cobwebs that develop in the most inaccessible places right near the top of those high ceilings, especially in the most difficult-to-reach corners.

This task usually involves ladders, furniture-moving, difficult-to-source specialist tools (long-reach cobweb brushes), and a number of servants (at least three: one to wield the cobweb brush; one to steady the ladder; and one to call for an ambulance when one of the others falls off the ladder), not to mention awkward visits to hospital to visit staff who are recovering from a broken leg, and the expense of hiring and training additional temporary staff while the others recover.

This new device completes the whole task controlled from the ground without risk: it requires only one person to operate, and its design uses the new-fangled airship invention to fly up around the ceiling and snatch all those annoying cobwebs using its multiple rotating collectors, with no danger to servants limbs (although it might make a mess if it falls down onto somebody's head....). Another time-saving appliance which is a must for any ambitious Edwardian household!

Pictured are the separate parts of the piece lined up for a portrait after the piece has been completely dismantled and first-stage polishing has been completed. Two more stages of polishing will be carried out before full reassembly and final testing (hopefully without damaging any servants!).

The picture does not include all the hundreds of brass fasteners which will hold it all together - which also require polishing! All the components are marked with their identity/location/orientation: all parts are hand-made and will only fit one way round, so they all have to go back in exactly the place they were originally made for. The marks have to be scratched on (and deep) in a hidden location, because markings with pen or similar would not survive the first-stage polishing, which is very aggressive, and contributes majorly to the desired soft, rounded (cast?) look on the brass. A second image shows only the internal parts which operate the oscillating cobweb-collectors via the handle - these parts have not been polished, but took many hours of design and development, and will never be seen again once the piece is fully assembled."

Can't wait to see the finished piece, Nigel!