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"The Chrysler Building is the ultimate expression of masculine
Art Deco design."
Jon Messer, Editor
Stylus Magazine
The
Chrysler Building
David Broadwell was commissioned to create a fountain pen that
commemorated the famous Chrysler Building in New York City, with a
specific desire for a short bodied long capped configuration. Along the
way the collector asked for a small folding knife to accompany the pen.
Aside from these generalities, the maker was given a great deal of
creative freedom. Broadwell chose the building's tower with it's stepped
arches for the pen's cap and "Mercury's Helmet" ornamentation
and hub cap brick work on the 31st floor (shown in the photo below)
for the knife's handle. Stainless steel was chosen for the major
materials, with black acrylic used for the pen's long section.
31st floor
ornamentation
The top left
picture shows the working drawings (with shop grunge!) and some of the
components. At the top right Broadwell works at his bench, surrounded by
reference pictures and many small hand tools. The middle photo shows
some of the details of the finished pen and knife. The clip ball is a
tiny representation of eagle head "gargoyles" below the tower.
The bottom photo shows the pen with cap posted (threaded in both capped
and posted positions) and the knife sitting beside David Stravitz's
excellent book on the construction of the Chrysler Building.
This is
another example of what can be done when Broadwell is given a theme to
work in, one that gives pleasure to both the owner and the creator.
Similar
Piece: $3800
Shop Photos: S Broadwell
Photo Montage: Jim Cooper
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Special
Pen Projects: The Chrysler Building
Finished Chrysler Building Set (note stylized eagle head "gargoyle" on pen
clip)
 
Original Concept Sketch and Chrysler Building Photos Referenced as Hand
File Work Progresses
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