Puzzle Sculptures by Franco Rocco

  
   

Immaginario Lunare (1983)

An unique, beautiful and baffling 6 inch sphere. A sequence of 12 moves is needed to remove the first Pear-wood quadrant. Then a series of very unusual movements are required to dismantle the sphere into its 34 parts of wood and different metals.

 
 
   

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La Via di Colombo (1991)

A special edition of Immaginario Lunare was made to celebrate the 500th aniversary of Columbus' atlantic crossing in 1992. This edition encloses a bracelet and the "anello dei due mondi" (ring of the two worlds). 

The Way of Columbus is presented as a hollow sphere resting on a square base with a concave depression at its centre. The sphere has a diameter of 16 Cm. It is divided into eight sectors joined by turned brass, die-cast pins and pivots. A unique sequence of 12 movements allows the sphere to be opened to start its dismantlement into its 37 constituent parts, which include a silver rhodium-plated bracelet and a ring which can be detached from the bracelet and worn separately.

 

Produced in a limited edition of 1000, each signed and numbered by Franco Rocco. It is accompanied by a magnificent book with embossed images describing the symbolism of the sphere and its relationship to Columbus' journey in 1492.

A video explaining the symbolism may be seen on Youtube.
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Scaccomatto

Scaccomatto is a sculpture, a puzzle, and a chess set.

Two brass cubes - one chrome plated - are by themselves, a sleek and elegant sculpture.

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Yet, each cube is also a complex puzzle of interlocking elements that will disassemble into 16 chessmen. Each cube weighs 7 pounds and measures 3" x3" x3".

 
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First produced in 1977 as a limited edition of 1000, each signed and numbered by Franco Rocco.

Scacco-FR


To bring the pleasure of the Scaccomatto to a wider audience, Rocco made several less costly editions.

SCACCO-FR is a slightly smaller version of SCACCAMATTO but basically the same geometry as the original.

Three different versions were attempted in Limited Edition: -

Opposite and below shows the wonderful set made in the 1990s of hardwood.

Each of the very complex pieces was made from a single block of hardwood without any gluing or assembly.

This edition was abandoned due to technical difficulties after a very short run, so these sets are now extremely rare.

Scacco-FR (2001)

Made of a black oxidized and satin-silver nickel and chrome finished plated zinc alloy.

It was originally presented in this green package which was supeceeded by the wooden Presentation Case shown below.

 

 

The last version was presented in this wooden case measuring 8.2 inches square by 3.5 inches high .

It contains Two 2.5 inch Cubes of Chessmen (puzzles), The Puzzle Chess board which assembles into a 13 inch square. Instructions and a DVD of the solution.

 

More Pictures of on Scacco-FR

 

   

IMAGINARIO LUNARE is still available (2013).

The following are NOT currently available: -

SCACCOMATTO
SCACCO-FR
SCACCO in HARDWOOD
LEATHER CHESS BOARD 60x60 cm.
DAMADIAMANTE
GLASS CHESS BOARD 80 x 80 cm.
LEATHER CHESS BOARD 60x60 cm.
DAMADIAMANTE
GLASS CHESS BOARD 80 x 80 cm.
LA VIA DI COLOMBO


  
   
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