The Commission
A repeat customer of mine in Wayne PA asked me for a boulder seat for her free library. At first she was thinking just a simple boulder, somewhat flat on top, at a good height for sitting. Of course I had an idea for something slightly more involved. So I suggested how about a chair carved from a single boulder, preserving the stone’s natural character, but carving a seat into it?
It has a small back rest, contoured for lumbar support.
Finding the right boulder
I visited perhaps 7 suppliers all told. Was about 6 hours of driving around, looking at rock piles. The very first place I visited had a stone just about the perfect: the right size, and a good look to it. But somewhat dark in color….would it get too hot? Of course I could create a honed finish, to absorb less light….but ultimately I rejected that stone as it had a couple of obvious flaws, potentially problematic cracks in it.
The job being on the Main Line, I visited landscape and masonry suppliers and quarries in Montgomery County. Then a couple in Chester County–and eventually found the right stone was waiting.
Carving the stone into a chair
I sawed, I grinded, I hammered, chiseled, and chip chipped away. By mid afternoon I was working on a finish, sanding and polishing up the seat and back rest.
Th finished stone chair
The right size for the space, set between the curb, the young tree and free library. From the road you just see a boulder, but it you choose to step on up to the library you’ll be surprised to see–a chair!
I gets down and dirty
From this side–it’s just a boulder!
Why I love making functional stone sculpture
I like the idea of art being everywhere. We have too many manufactured items in our lives that don’t always have much character. But if I can make something cool, from natural materials, and have it serve a function as well, then life seems right.
Stone chairs versus stone benches
This same customer actually commissioned a couple benches from me already, to go with her flagstone mosaic walkway that I did for her a couple years ago. A bench would take up more space right here and it’s just a different look, really. The chair has a backing, plus it only seats 1 person. Here there’s not much need to seat more than 1 person.
Commissioning a custom stone chair/boulder chair
Get in touch 610-301-4269 devin@devineescaps.com to commission your own one of a kind sculptural stone chair or other unique work in stone.
Why choose a hand made stone chair instead of manufactured outdoor seating?
You want something unique, not assembly lined or cookie cutter. Designed to fit in with your landscape. made from stone selected just for your landscape, positioned with an eye well trained for such work. And also something built to last, built from the Earth.
Related:
- Lithadelic Water Drop Commissioned sculpture in Ohio
- unique stone bird baths
- the Great Pyramid of New York
Thank You
