The kaleidoscope renaissance began in the early 1970's when artists stumbled onto the idea of making kaleidoscopes. Each artist, working independently and in different geographical regions, set off a buzz that has grown with intensity with each passing year. Today there are more than 100 artists making kaleidoscopes and innumerable collectors across the globe searching for new and exciting works.

Peach Reynolds was among the early pioneers. His kaleidoscopes are in collections worldwide. With his increased fame, Peach called on his brother Mark to help produce the kaleidoscopes. After fifteen years, Peach decided to pursue other areas in his life, handing over the kaleidoscopes to Mark.

Mark has continued in the tradition his brother laid before him. Improving and expanding on Peach's designs, Mark redesigned the original Parlour scope, creating this wonderful piece. The LSD Bean Parlour Scope has a complex three-mirror system arranged to form an Isosceles triangle. This yields a large central image, a "twin image" and then infinite reproductions of those images. It is quite spectacular to view any of the three interchangeable, liquid-filled, side-lit chambers. One is filled with wonderful dichroic glass amid colored glass accented with metal filigree pieces. As you turn the chamber, bits of the dichroic come in and out of view in such an explosion of light and color that is truly exciting. Contrastively, the subdued earth tones of the seashells found in the second chamber evoke a more calming, quiet response. The third chamber consists solely of dichroic glass. Set against the black background, the pure colors of the dichroic explode in an endless display of light and color. Because each chamber is side lit, adequate additional lighting is recommended, but not necessary to enjoy this wonderful piece. A camera lens fitting is employed for easy removal and replacement of the two chambers.

Sculpturally, each LSD Bean Parlour Scope varies in the wood used to create the body. Mark enjoys working with wonderful woods, such as Bird's Eye Maple, Zebra Wood, Mahogany, Wenge and so on. Each Parlour Scope is made from a primary wood, accented with inlaid bands of geometric patterns of various wood types.

The LSD Bean Parlour Scope Measures 14 1/2" tall by 6" wide. Pictured in Cherry on left and Mahogany on right.