The Wonder Cabinet

More SSOA Cuffs by Mr Arm

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:30:29 GMT

Here is one of my newer creations I haven't shown yet. I love this one because it uses an actual Fossil watch that seems to fit with my cuffs perfect. The face is a blue that contrasts the brown oil tan leather perfectly. Click on the photos for more information.

In case you don't know me I am Mr. Arm from the SSOA and I create these type of custom wrist cuffs to order if you are interested. I have just received a cache of pre civil war clock works with some amazing large gears. These will go towards future projects. Please contact me if you are interested: mrarm@thessoa.com or click on the photos of this watch!

The SSOA Showing in Braddock, PA

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:15:20 GMT

For those of you close by Pittsburgh and looking for something to do I will be setting up a display at the opening of the Unsmoke Systems Gallery in Braddock, PA. It should be a neat show. Open Bar. It is 15 different artists in an old semi-redone school building from the 18hundreds. I will bring along a selection from my collection and some photos of such. Enjoy. If you click on the flier I provided a larger flier so you can read it. Hope to see some steampunkers there.

"Grab your smelling salts ..."

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:14:50 GMT

"Brace yourselves, for today I am the bearer of grand news! Seriously, if you like art, exhibits and mechanical parts you may want to have a seat and grab the smelling salts."

http://devicegallery.com/

Those words are quoted from my source ... Coilhouse (a website to visit daily : http://coilhouse.net/).

A little shop of horrors ...

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:26:38 GMT

Going to be in Italy anytime soon? Be sure to check out this most unusual of shops. I want everything!

http://www.thenautilus.it/Shop.html

Steamy Cuffs for the Masses

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:09:30 GMT

I just wanted to show off some more of Faun Graves' cuffs. On ebay for the day. Click the photos.

Her e-mail is kristina@twistedeyephoto.com if you are interested.

Here are some more photos of the cuffs. I hope you enjoy them. I hated to see the second one go. These are all one of a kind, (unfortunatly) and they are extreamly comfortable. Her e-mail is kristina@twistedeyephoto.com if you are interested.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:25:36 GMT

This is an incredible shot in the dark- But given that I'm finally beginning to assemble my own cabinet, and have a good deal of medieval unicorn imagery in my room, I would love to have a narwhal tusk for my collection.

I realise it's probably impossible, but does anyone have a clue where I could acquire such a thing?

Strange Answers - "Where Can I Buy A Real Human SKull?"

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:10:47 GMT

unearthed skeleton 2, originally uploaded by Boju.

As part of Dapper Cadaver's on going quest to answer all the strange questions we receive, today I tackle a biggie. The selling of real human remains.
You might think it odd, but I get asked for human remains a couple times a day, and every couple of months someone asks if I'm interested in buying some human remains that they have, for some reason.

Here's the short answer: No. No I don't sell, No I don't buy and No I can't help anyone find anyone who does. The laws on who can legally buy and sell human remains are fairly complex, so the rule of thumb to go by is this - buying, selling, or owning human remains is illegal

That's pretty easy. "Why is it illegal?" I'm often asked. Well, because the sources of human remains are, at some point, living humans. The vast majority of bones "on the market" don't come from organ donors, they come from China and Indian, where even licensed sources are under frequent allegations of grave robbing and dealing in prisoner remains. The rest of the bones that are being sold are archaeological theft, contemporary grave robbing, war trophies, criminal evidence, and a mixed bag of specimens passed from hand to hand for so long the origins, legitimate or not, are long since lost. The burden of proof is on the owner - if you can prove you bought your bones from a licensed medical supply house great, if not, you're looking at a range of allegations up to and including accessory to murder. Even the famous Gunther Von Hagens of Body Worlds fame has gotten in trouble with the law for having illegal cadavers

Other anatomy stores, such as Evolution: Natural History, and Maxilla and Mandible, have gotten in trouble with the law and heavily finedfor dealing in endangered animal remains and/or human bones. At Dapper Cadaver we only sell animal skulls of common livestock like pig, sheep, and steer, and US game animals, like deer. All other animal bones, both pet and exotic, are replica. Even our exotic taxidermy is synthetic. All our human remains are replica. We divide skulls into 3 categories - Halloween or budget is the lowest quality, medical quality is anatomically correct standard quality. Museum quality is the closest you can get to legally owning a human skull. These are props that have been molded off of real human skull specimens on loan from museums. The anatomical detail and realism is amazing.

I have been a bone collector and a nature lover all my life. I urge anyone who's interested in buying bones to buy replicas. It's the only ethical choice. Otherwise you are supporting or encouraging a black market in endangered species, fossil and archaeological treasures, and human life.

Yet another SSOA Leather Wrist Cuff Set

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:09:24 GMT

I know, I know. I only put up posts about my own stuff. I am quite proud of this one though. Here is my latest ebay post. And I know that most of you would rather go through Etsy but I am an ebay vet and old habits are hard to break. I also bring you custom pieces by my muse Faun Graves. She has taken to the smaller style of geared cuff and I hope you enjoy them.

Each Cuff is hand made of thick leather and brass clock gears strapped together with solid brass buckles. Click on the link below each set of photos for the ebay auction if you are interested.

Click here for the Time Strap 2

Click here for Faun Graves' Cuff #1

Click here for Faun Graves' Cuff #2

And Remember, TheSSOA.com

Mr. A.R.M.'s Social Interaction Restrictor Mask

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:27:08 GMT

Much thanks to Bob Basset for inspiring me to make my own full head mask. The fronts piece removes to allow for eating and socializing. It doesn't look like his leather forming style (which is awesome) but like I said, he was an inspiration for a project I have been wanting to do for a long time.

I put about a weekends time into this. The eyes are brown, vintage, welding goggles with one eye replaced with a camera lens, and the other eye is my prescription. The camera lens is held open with a shutter release which looks like a monocle cord, and the prescription lens is from another pair of goggles I had fitted with my prescription for fun before I knew Steampunk existed. The rest of the piece is all new leather with brass rivets, screws, and randomness. I love making things that are completely impractical. I attached the removable mouth piece with two magnetic clasps and a stud which the top wraps over. I'm sorry I don't have a shot with it off yet.
As always I have more stuff at thessoa.com . I'm still adding things when I can but it is going slow.

Gear Driven Wrist Leather

Thu, 29 May 2008 16:36:14 GMT

I am putting another bracelet up on e-bay if anyone is interested.

You can go to this link for more photos http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170223730863&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=007

http://thessoa.com

Wed, 28 May 2008 20:36:46 GMT

Items currently for sale in Amore de Mori taxidermy accessories

tentacle pillbox hat £70

burlesque style fascinator £30

elegant gothic fascinator £35

vanatis hair chopsticks £30

what is it??

Wed, 14 May 2008 21:56:38 GMT

My parents picked this up for me today at an auction, anyone have a clue what it is? We think it is steam powered, possibly a heater of some sort for the top part in the middle..

Steampunk Watch

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:22:01 GMT

I just wanted to show my watch I am selling. I hope you guys like it.

It's here on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170219263158

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:26:20 GMT

I was fumbling around with some stuff I had lying around, and came up with this:

I already had to explain it to two people so I was wondering if the symbolism is not obvious enough? What do you think the meaning of this 'piece' is?

Monster Mondays - The Butatsch Ah ILgs

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:49:27 GMT

Stichopus-sp-1, originally uploaded by Boju.

As part of Dapper Cadaver's ongoing Monster Monday's project today I bring you the most horrible thing Switzerland has ever produced, the Butatsch Ah ILgs.

The Butatsch is a great and terrifying amorphous blob, like a swollen stomach, but covered with leering eyes that can shoot fire. The Butatsch lived at the bottoms of lakes, at the gateways between earth and hellish neitherworlds. The fire from its eyes was the very same as the hellfire of eternal damnation.

For I think obvious reasons, no fishermen would fish in the waters where the Butatsch was said to dwell, but the beast was so feared that no shepherd would allow there sheep to graze on any hillside facing his infernal lake.

Since no Butatsch has ever been photographed, the part of the Butatsch is being played by a Stichopus Sea Cucumber.

Strange Answers: "What are the bones of a human fetus?"

Sat, 03 May 2008 01:25:36 GMT

skelefriends 1, originally uploaded by Boju.

This one was harder than I thought. A fetal skeleton should have all the same bones as an adult skeleton, right?

Well no, actually, and it depends. It depends on when you check. A human fetus has no bones at all until the 7th week. Two bones come in during the 7th week. The femur, which is not surprising as it's the largest, hardest single bone in the adult body. The second bone is the clavicle, also known as the collar bone, an oddly shaped little bone that holds up the neck. It's small, but think of how important it's job is.

The rest of the bones develop from the 8th to 15th week (2nd to 4th month). So by the 5th month a fetal skeleton is complete. Well almost complete. As we all know the teeth come in after birth, as does the knee cap (patella) which grows in between the 3rd and 6th year. That's why baby legs have such a smooth taper from thigh to ankle - no knobby knee in the middle.

The last bone that the fetus grows is the hyoid bone, also known as the lingual bone or voice box. It's the only bone in the human body not rooted against another bone, and it's the one that makes articulate speech possible. In animals the hyoid bone is simply another part of the neck, not the floating wonder it is in humans. In fetal development the hyoid bone doesn't grow until the 36th week, the 9th month. Then a baby is ready to be born.

A complete chart of fetal bones and their developments is available here

Strange Answers: "What's Wrong with Henry?"

Fri, 02 May 2008 02:04:11 GMT

Henry 29, originally uploaded by Boju.

Of all the causes of death I've recreated over the years none raises more questions than the case of poor Harry (Henry) Eastlack.

I created the Henry skeleton for a set based on the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, where the real Harry Eastlack resides. Harry was born normal except for a big toe only slightly too large and irregular.

At age ten the muscle and flesh around his bones began turning to bone, a process called "Ossification" and sometimes poetically referred to as flesh turning to stone. Ossification is a normal process for growing and healing bones, but in Harry's case it was running amok. The disease Harry had was named Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. The first symptom was bony nodules on his neck and shoulders, which when removed, triggered the growth of large nodules. Shortly after the onset of Ossification, Harry was unable to move any part of his body except his lips, and he was hard as wood to the touch.

Harry died 43 years later of pneumonia and willed his unique body to the Mutter Museum. Here's the real Harry's skeleton

FOP Ossification remains with us today and still has not been cured

Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, did not have FOP Ossification. He was once considered to have been afflicted with either elephantiasis or neurofibromatosis type I or the very rare Proteus syndrome or perhaps a combination of the later two conditions.

The Finished Teslatonic Feline Statisizer

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:34:00 GMT

Here is my final incarnation of my Statisizer. The main usage of this device is purely for parlor conjuring. With the addition of Mr. A.R.M.'s patented voltage charge degenerator, the application to a modern homestead feline will produce heightened vertical increase by fusing the major Achilles tension. The handle is personally carved oak and the rest is up to you all.

thessoa.com

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:12:15 GMT

Lots of new creatures this month! :)

Our Beloved Logos

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:53:23 GMT

Before you is the image to be put upon our SSOA "Brain Cog" soldiers! This should inspire them toward greatness in promoting our collective cause!

twistedeyephoto.com/TheSSOA.html

La Specola Anatomical Waxworks & Body Horror

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:25:43 GMT

An interesting Article my tutor found and sent me connecting the Anatomical Waxworks at La Specola to the horror film tradition.

"Surprising origins
Florentine 18th-century wax anatomical models as inspiration for Italian horror

Drawing from feminist-oriented psychoanalytic theories of the horror film as well as the socio-cultural analysis of horror myths, Annette Burfoot reveals the extent to which 18th-century life-size wax models of the female body in various states of dissection—still on display in a Florentine museum, La Specola—"provides the basis for various principles of horror.""

http://www.kinoeye.org/02/09/burfoot09.php

and some links about La Specola

Univeristy of Toronto
http://individual.utoronto.ca/twix/anatomy/eighteenth.htm

Tourism
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/museum_of_natural_history.html

Official home page
http://www.pd.astro.it/museo/PagineInglesi/index.htm

Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/numlok/sets/670488/

X-posted to Dark Victoria, Hospital X, ax_wound, kawaii noir, museum geeks, wonder_cabinet, Victorian Goths, maddoctorfetish and medical_fetish.

Eat your heart out von Hagens ;)

www.amoredemori.com

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:55:04 GMT

new items for Amore de Mori
crow wing fascinator and
'memento mori' skunk skull comb

Modeled by Laura

Ive been wanting to get away from rat skulls for a while but its difficult as there isn't exactly another source of skulls i can go to to make things out of. I do scan ebay as much as i can but I'll never use anything that I consider has been obtained unethicly (personly if I had my way id cut out ebay completley and do it all myself) The wing here is one of a pair from a bird that a lady found.
£40 (inc p+p)

Modeled by Laura

Such a georgeous little skull! Its from a skunk. This i got from a person who gets a lot of skulls from animals in Indonesia that are killed as pests ( I dont have a problem using animals that are obtained this way as I know otherwise they'd be going to waste)
£35 (inc p+p)

taxidermy steampunk..

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:48:26 GMT

For those that liked my taxidermy, (sorry if your not interested, but a lot of you were...)

It's finally up! It took me ages to work it out, but it's now done! Please go along and see, and let me know if you run into any problems that I can fix :)

http://amandasautopsies.com

Jan Svankmeyer's Alice

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:15:19 GMT

If your familiar with the animation then (hopefully!) this little fella should be familiar also.
I've made him for Missi (Nana rape-blossom) who is doing a Jan Svankmeyer photo shoot.
Thought you guys might like him ^_^

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:42:11 GMT

I don't know if this is the sort of thing generally posted here, but I've made some icons from the Codice Settala in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and thought you might be interested. Do with them what you will, but credit is a way for people to find my journal if they're interested.

"These three codices form part of the inventory of the museum of erudite Milanese scientist Manfredo Settala (1600-1680). Another two catalogues in the same series are kept in the Estense Library in Modena. Together they testify to the existence in 17th-century Milan of one of the most elaborate 'Wunderkammer' in the whole of Europe.

Manfredo Settala, son of scientist and doctor Lodovico Settala (mentioned in Alessandro Manzoni's novel The Betrothed) brought together in his eclectic museum statues and paintings of the highest artistic standard, along with a remarkable collection of curiosities, divided into naturalia, mirabilia and artificialia. These were of immense ethnological, religious, sociological and anthropological significance. His often brightly-coloured drawings formed an interesting ensemble of curios that were of philosophical rather than scientific value. It displays a blend of science and magic as a way of explaining a reality that was still largely to be explained.

The plates were executed with beautiful graphic expertise by various hands: some of the artists are known by their full names, such as Domenico Tencala, Francesco Porro, Giovanni Battista and Francesco Volpino, Alfonso Costa, Carolo 'a Sole', Carolo Galluzio; others only left their monogram, while others besides these remain anonymous."

1. 2. 3.

The rest are here.