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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — 1/200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 5000 — map & image data — nearby photos
odd assemblage of carved stones
What am I?
So, I didn't stump anyone in my previous “Fairly Dirty What am I? Quiz”, and probably won't this time either, but while in the back gardens behind the Nishimura Stone Lanterns workshop, amid the bounty of photogenic beauty of 800 years worth of stone carvings, I came across the above assemblage of stone (granite, I assume) whose purpose, like many of the pieces I encountered that day, seemed mysterious to me.
It sort of looks like a bench, but it's much smaller than that... maybe 8” (20cm) tall.
What is it?
Stonecarver-related posts are continued here...
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Well, it’s kinda hard to tell. So I’ll guess. If the small square piece is stone, then it would be a “key” or “spline” to keep the two pieces aligned. If it’s metal, it might be some kind of bolt. Perhaps the two larger pieces are some kind of spacers. I wonder if the stonemasons and cutters there use the “feathers and wedges” system to split stone? It will be interesting to see the answer. And stop teasing us with these brief posts…this is one fascinating subject and I believe we all would love more. And soon. Love, Mom
Is it a chair then?
Not a chair. Not a bench, or any other thing for sitting/supporting people, elves, etc. And all three pieces are indeed stone. —Jeffrey
Jeffrey, that was one hilarious response! Thank you. I think I would have missed that if I had added a smiley.
One long shot try: is the assembly used for lining the pathway (alongside the steps)?
It has to have something to do with there being two pieces. Chair, Bench and nearly everything else I can think of doesn’t fit. A wood carver might connect two pieces of wood to make two identical things but I doubt that here too, because the inner surfaces are not flat. At a closer look a saw a second connecting stone and that there seems to be grooves between the blocks. Therefore my guess: Is it a selfmade tool for sharpening chisels?
Uhmm, it’s been 10 days now. What are you?
Oops, I forgot. Didn’t think anyone needed the answer, anyway, after the hint in the subsequent post all but gave it away. Will post a followup tonight, just for the slower among my sisters who can’t figure it out. —Jeffy
The answer is here.