234. Agatha Christie: A Chinese Scholar's Box
atelier ying, nyc.
There's nothing better than an open ended problem in one's mind to help one sleep. Like Hercule Poirot, just let the little grey cells of your mind work and in a short time voila! it's all solved.
The orderly, methodical detective thrives on neatness, against which any problem can be tackled.
Agatha Christie knew that when a mystery novel had more than eight suspects, it became very difficult for her readers to keep track of everything. Twelve suspects was close to her maximum. Twelve cases are also contemplated in the opening chapter of "The Labors of Hercules", from which this design comes.
Twelve chromium 1" cubes are inside a little 5"x8"x2" box, tiny paperweights for slips of 2 1/4"x 5 1/4" ivory colored paper, each beveled at the corners by Miss Lemon (someone we all dearly need). These notes are typewritten and carefully placed inside an envelope and sealed. These notes refer to any subject requested by Poirot for a case.
A silvered mirror is inside the box cover for the fastidious detective to examine himself with. A mustache brush, a round container of petroleum-based pomade and a linen handkerchief keep him looking immaculate at all times. The cover has his monogrammed initials. A very modern Art Deco clasp secures the box, with a small key as Poirot has worked on matters of National security.
Ironically, there are no writing utensils in this Chinese Scholar's Box, for Poirot keeps his revelations carefully filed within his brain.
The ebony box comes with a gold and black brocade bag for travel. A sewn square of black velvet covers the cubes and serves as a polishing cloth. In the office, it reverts to being an overly elegant communique between Poirot and Miss Lemon.
Design, concepts, text and drawing are copyright 2014 by David Lo.
234. Agatha Christie: A Chinese Scholar's Box
atelier ying, nyc.
There's nothing better than an open ended problem in one's mind to help one sleep. Like Hercule Poirot, just let the little grey cells of your mind work and in a short time voila! it's all solved.
The orderly, methodical detective thrives on neatness, against which any problem can be tackled.
Agatha Christie knew that when a mystery novel had more than eight suspects, it became very difficult for her readers to keep track of everything. Twelve suspects was close to her maximum. Twelve cases are also contemplated in the opening chapter of "The Labors of Hercules", from which this design comes.
Twelve chromium 1" cubes are inside a little 5"x8"x2" box, tiny paperweights for slips of 2 1/4"x 5 1/4" ivory colored paper, each beveled at the corners by Miss Lemon (someone we all dearly need). These notes are typewritten and carefully placed inside an envelope and sealed. These notes refer to any subject requested by Poirot for a case.
A silvered mirror is inside the box cover for the fastidious detective to examine himself with. A mustache brush, a round container of petroleum-based pomade and a linen handkerchief keep him looking immaculate at all times. The cover has his monogrammed initials. A very modern Art Deco clasp secures the box, with a small key as Poirot has worked on matters of National security.
Ironically, there are no writing utensils in this Chinese Scholar's Box, for Poirot keeps his revelations carefully filed within his brain.
The ebony box comes with a gold and black brocade bag for travel. A sewn square of black velvet covers the cubes and serves as a polishing cloth. In the office, it reverts to being an overly elegant communique between Poirot and Miss Lemon.
Design, concepts, text and drawing are copyright 2014 by David Lo.