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Spalted Maple Polorized Kaleidoscope by Earle Mc Neil 3 mirror system new December 2025

Spalted Maple Polorized Kaleidoscope by Earle Mc Neil 3 mirror system new December 2025

$200.00
$200.00
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Experience Brilliant Rainbow Colors with This Handcrafted Polarized Kaleidoscope

This beautifully made polarized kaleidoscope delivers vivid, rainbow-like imagery thanks to its expertly designed polarized object cell. When viewed under proper lighting, the colors become incredibly bright, crystal-like, and dynamic—an unforgettable visual experience for collectors and enthusiasts.

Key Features

  • Polarized object cell produces exceptionally bright, rainbow-like vivid colors

  • Solid wood stave-designed body crafted from spalted curly western maple

  • Eye piece made from quilted maple with madrona wood end accents

  • Oil-filled chamber containing birefringent materials and two polarized filters

  • Includes a custom wooden base for display

  • Handcrafted by Earle, a skilled kaleidoscope maker with years of experience

  • Three-mirror, six-point image system for stunning symmetrical patterns

Dimensions

  • Total length: approximately 8 inches

  • Barrel diameter: 3 inches at the eyepiece

  • Object cell diameter: 3 inches

  • Wooden base included as shown

This handcrafted polarized kaleidoscope is a wonderful example of expert woodworking paired with advanced optical artistry. In our opinion, it offers outstanding value for the quality, craftsmanship, and vibrant imagery it delivers.

Important Notes on Viewing a Polarized Kaleidoscope

(Expert insights from the artist, Earle)

Polarized kaleidoscopes require the right lighting to fully appreciate their brilliant colors. Without proper illumination, the view will appear dark and muted. Here’s what you need for the best visual experience:

  • Use a 60–75 watt bulb or LED equivalent (600–800 lumens)

  • Soft white lighting works best

  • Ideal viewing distance: 1 to 2 feet from the light source

  • Most bright indoor lighting works well

  • Overcast daylight can work, but a clear blue sky will not reveal the full color range

Though the pieces inside the object cell may appear clear in your hand, the polarized filters transform them into vivid colors by twisting the light waves—similar to how prisms and rainbows separate light into different colors.

How Polarized Kaleidoscopes Work

Polarized kaleidoscopes use the same type of filters found in polarized sunglasses. These filters contain extremely fine, closely spaced lines that allow only certain directions of light waves to pass through. In a polarized kaleidoscope:

  • One filter is placed at the front of the object cell

  • A second filter is placed at the back and rotated 90 degrees relative to the first

  • Most incoming light is blocked, but stressed polyethylene pieces inside the chamber twist the light wavelengths

  • Depending on how the light twists, specific colors pass through the second filter

  • As the cell turns, the clear pieces shift orientation, revealing constantly changing rainbow-like patterns

The result is a kaleidoscope unlike any other—rich in color, movement, and scientific beauty.