What is it ,

[J. Dillon]

work of art, boat gear, or both?? Can you name it and describe it's purpose ?


JD

[ahp]

It is an oarlock, for a Venetian Gondola.

[capt jake]

Artwork, definitely artwork.....

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Its a binnacle for an art nouveau cold molded sloop.

[ 11-25-2002, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: Peter Malcolm ]

[PaulC]

Definitely Australian!

[J. Dillon]

Ya can't stomp the "Forumites".

Ok It's a "Forcola" shown in place on a gondola. AHP gets the cigar.

JD

[Mrleft8]

Looks kinda like my back feels after this weekend.....

[Tom Jackson]

Better not let Cleek see this thread, Jack!

(Nice work--hope you had a great trip.)

[Art Read]

Tom... I'll bet ol' Bob just ranted on about the "Gondola" articles the way he did 'cause nobody was talking stitch and glue, fiberglass sheathing the "old girl" or Martha Stewart's Picnic Boat(tm) at the time.

(I bet he read every word... in the bathroom)

[ 11-27-2002, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Art Read ]

[J. Dillon]

Tom J. Maybe this will really scare off Cleek



Gondola under construction in Venice

[brian.cunningham]

Speaking of Venice
Anyone see the PBS Show Nova on the sinking of Venice?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/venice/


It covers possible solutions, including flexible gates...

[Wild Wassa]

I think this thread is an artwork. Terrific sculpture, I bet it looks good from the back, as well. Great photographs, nicely photographed.

[Joe Dupere]

I thought it was the prototype for Norm's new
hip.....

Joe

[Gary Bergman]

Heck, I thought it was my first mates new sex toy! [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[paladin]

do it go "ZIP" when it moves, "BOP" when it stops or "WHIRRRRR" when it stands still? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[JimD]

I thought it was my wife in a tight dress on a full moon

[True Love]

Brian,

I saw the PBS special on Venice last week. Very interesting. The Venetians don't seem too motivated to attempt any of the suggested "fixes." I'm not sure I blame them - at least on the gates which rise up from under the water.

[J. Dillon]

The replys to this post seemed to have strayed.

I did identify just "What is it". Below is a better description exerpted from our own authority on the subject Thom Price better know as Gondola Guy"


"The forcola, or oar post, has its own evolution which is as important to the gondola as the water is. Starting off as a simple notched board inserted into the gunwale, it took its final form in the 18th cent. It is worthy to point out that the forcole (plural) and oars are made by special craftsmen called remeri. This has been a separate branch of artisans at least since the 13th cent. The forcola itself is a fantastic thing. It stands alone as a beautiful work of sculpture-with its fluid double-curve and intriguing shape -- and, in fact, many of the forcole which are made today are sold as sculpture. However, one very interesting aspect about this beautiful work of art is that it may resemble an abstract form, but it is actually 100% function. There is no surface or contour of the forcola which does not have a purpose. The forcola can be compared to the gear shift lever of an automobile, with basically five places on which the oar can pivot for various maneuvers: one for setting the gondola in motion, one for the power stroke and turning to the left, one for turning to the right, one for slowing down, and one for rowing backwards."

For more complete information click on to

www.squero.com

An interesting web site and artistic one as well

Bob Cleek can ignore all this

or How can Cleek ignore this ?

JD

[randallt]

actually....i am by no means an expert on this, but this is a forcola that is different than the ones used on gondolas. this forcola is used on other venetian boats such as sandolas and puparinas. check out this link...... http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/U...y;f=6;t=000224 or www.forcole.com (same site)..there is some great info here.