It takes special artistry to design a kaleidoscope. The word itself is a combination of the Greek words kalos, eidos and scopos, literally translated to mean beautiful form watcher.
The Science behind the Kaleidoscope
A basic kaleidoscope is made of two or three mirrors or reflective surfaces, forming a V. The assembly is encased in a tube, and various small objects are positioned at one end while a peek hole is centered at the opposite end. Precisely positioned mirrors will create more precise symmetrical reflections with the images changing each time one looks through the eye-hole.
The Artistry Behind Kaleidoscopes
The images created in a kaleidoscope are only one part of the artistry. The cases can be carved from special wood and customized with embellishments.
Kaleidoscope artists Mark and Carol Reynolds have kept the tradition alive by creating the finest quality kaleidoscopes that are true collector’s items if not works of art.
For instance, the Wooden Kaleidoscope, Handheld in Walnut Wood #1 is carved from maple burl with a colorful inlaid design. The interior chamber is black to create a brilliant kaleidoscope.
The Zebra Wood Handheld #1 is 12 inches long. Using carefully chosen bobbles and glass pieces contained in an oil-filled cell, the resulting imagery is brilliant, and it changes with every movement of the kaleidoscope.
Artists Mark and Carol Reynolds have taken kaleidoscope design to a new level with premium quality cases housing some of the most dazzling images.