Design opinions please

[Brian Kent]

I am 89% finished with my big order. I have 11 more of these tall (9" to 11") chalices to make. The Yellow one in the center is the standard shape. The rest represents variations that happened while I worked and played.

I would like your opinion on which are the most appealing to your eye. All of them have heavier stems than they would as ornamental pieces, because they are meant to be used for years as communion chalices. Your feedback will help me design the remaining pieces.

#1 & 2 - Cherry
#3 - Sapele
#4, 5, & 6 - Maple
#7 - Fern Pine (Podocarpus Gracilior)
#8 & 9 - Cherry (with the tenon still attached)
#10, 11, 12 & 13 - Beech

[Dennis Ford]

# 2 is my favorite although I like most of them.

[Adam Herman]

2 and 7 are my favorite.

[Rob Grindler]

Agreed #2 and #7

[John Keeton]

I think #1 has the best proportions, taking into account you intentionally left the shaft heavy. The base seems to support the visual mass of the cup and the widest diameter of the cup appears to fall 2/3 of the height - consistent with the "rules" set forth by Russ Fairfield. The cove in the stem narrows at the proper point and has a nice sweep to it.

Overall, it doesn't appear tipsy, as some of the taller ones do IMO. This is a functional piece.

Someone has has to be different and today is my day!:D

[allen long]

I second what John said - especially in regard to height & the width of the base.

[Robert Henrickson]

Sort of different -- #11 and #2

[Prashun Patel]

2 is my favorite.

The defined shoulder between the foot/stem and stem/cup appeals to me.

The thinner stem with relatively abrupt tapers appeals to me; the taper on #7 makes the foot region too heavy, IMHO.

#2 feels delicate but substantial and not top-heavy.

Thicker stems feel very "Thrones-ey" to me. Thinner feels more refined and appropriate here...?

[Thom Sturgill]

I guess I'm different too - #11 & #12

[Brian Kent]

Another test just occurred to me. I could put a white tablecloth down. Fill each one with a cup of grape juice, then bump the table and measure the spill-zone :)

[David Delo]

#2 - #10 - #11 are the most appealing for me.

[Aaron Craven]

Hmmm... As with everyone else, I like the general proportions of #2, except that the cup seems a little smallish to me.

I also like #5, though I think the top could be very slightly larger and the bulge on the top section the stem a little more exaggerated. I think it's the strong ogee shape of the cup that attracts me to this one.

[Stan Calow]

the one in the middle. But I would want to hold them in my hands to see how they feel, and drink from it to see how that felt.

[Paul Williams]

#1 is most pleasing to me. The proportions seem right and I like stems that curve in to the middle and out to the cup in similar amounts of curve unlike 8 and 9. IMHO the additions or beads in the stem take away from 10 and 11. I also to not like the look where the cup is separated from the stem by a groove. I would try the cup from 1 on the stem from 13, although that would be for looks and not function. All of this is personal opinion of course. They all look good and functional. Let us know how your tip test goes. Be sure to use something that will stain the cloth.

[Wade Holloway]

Number 2 I think is the best one. Both with design and wood selection.

[Roger Chandler]

I think #11 is the best form, and #2 comes in a close second. Brian, even though these are meant to be a bit heavy for years of use, I still think you could go smaller on the stem by a bit, and still have structurally sound pieces, and of course enlarge the bases on some of them to keep them from being tippy. Overall, this is nice work and it has been fun watching your progression on this large order..........hope it does not wear you out! ;)

[Reed Gray]

Hmm, well, favorite cup shapes are the ones on the far right. Porportionally, the cups all appear to me to be too small/short for the bases.

robo hippy

[Mark Greenbaum]

I like the form of #2 on the left of photo.

[Sid Matheny]

#1 & #10 are my picks!

[Pete Copeland]

I like #4 and #8. My wife liked #1 and 13.

[David Reed]

Best bowl is the tulip shape of 10. Mate that with the stem on 13 for a winner.

[Michael Schneider]

Brian,

Thank you for posting your designs. This is an opinion of a communion chalice and what it represents. A friend of mine is a priest and his father turned a chalice for him many years ago.

It it similar to #3 with a slightly thinner stem. A simple flowing design made for a beautiful chalice. Similar to the simplicity of Rude Osolnik's candle holders. (not so delciate, just in flow).

[Roland Martin]

#10 cup with # 11 stem would be my choice. I like the proportion of the ogee shape of the cup on # 10 coupled with the thinner stem of # 11. To be honest though, very good work on all!

[Brian Kent]

This is so helpful for me. Even now, when I am holding them one at a time it is difficult to picture the differences in proportion and effect.

In addition to reading each opinion several times, I have used the ideas as a poll. Then for the several more specific comments, with 11 chalices to go, I can make a chalice with specific ideas in mind.

Thank you so much for your comments.

[Wes Ramsey]

I like #7 and #2, but #3 is my favorite. It would have been the one Indian Jones picked.

[Bruce Pratt]

Are there any architectural motifs in the church(es) where the chalices will be used which could sources of design inspiration. e.g. flowing curves of #3 vs. bead and cove of #11, same criteria could be considered in wood color.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I like #2 best for the thinner stem and well defined cup. I agree with the comments that the cup could be a bit larger and the stem does not need to be thick to be strong enough.

I enjoy excercises like this as it shows how different our tastes can be, yet you have a large enough sampling that some themes emerge. Very nice work.

[Terry Vogel]

12 & 13 appeal to me.
Simplicity, strength, beauty.
Minimal ornamentation in deference to the intended contents.
Kind of like a Shaker table.

[John Lail]

I like 2,7,11 and 13

[Bill Bulloch]

I like the 2nd & 7th. This based on the Stems, as I think thin stems look the best.

[John Grace]

We're obviously all splitting hairs here as they're all quite lovely. But if I had to pick one, I like the stem the most on the one third from the right...though I would prefer a slightly larger bowl on top. Again, they're all wonderful.

[Bruce Wilson]

Guess I'm the odd ball....I like 5, 9, and 10.