I wanted to create a replica of Sam Spades office in The Maltese Falcon. I watched the movie, took notes, made sketches. Right out of the gate the box I wanted to build the room in went missing. Then it was just one thing after another, so I pivoted, making a sort of love letter to film noir and the Private Dick genre.
While it's not what I set out to make, there's a lot to love in this tiny 7.75" x 7.75" x 4.75" box. A mishmash of bought, made and altered miniatures, and a dash of details from across the genre.
Let me walk you through some of my favourite details.
The gun: a metal charm that I cut off the hanging loop, sanded the rough edge and painted to look a bit more realistic
The ashtray: handmade stoneware with black glaze. I made a set of these in my microwave kiln before my pottery kiln arrived.
The cigarettes: rolled paper with painted ends and lipstick marks. The ends have been singed to give a true burnt look.
The lamp... we'll circle back to that later.
Above the desk there sits a framed certificate. I had wanted to include some sort of official private eye identification but the closest thing I found was this image of a certification from the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Pinkerton was a sort of forerunner to the secret service.
The desk and chair were purchased items. I had every intention of making a desk and even bought the wood to do it. It just didn't happen. And that's ok. I don't feel obligated to make every last thing from scratch or make everything to exact scale. I appreciate that others may enjoy the challenge of it, but it's not a priority for me.
The phone and magnifying glass were also purchased.
I made a slew of file folders and printed a whole bunch of old receipts and other miscellaneous notes.
The photographs and newspapers are scrounged from various archives from the 1930's to 40's the shrunk down to size. Initially I was looking for San Francisco newspapers from that time frame (the location The Maltese Falcon is set in) but hooo baby I had almost no luck at all. I did stumble upon a grim story of a killer polar bear at the San Francisco zoo so it wasn't a complete waste of time.
The New York Times would have to do.
Inside the desk drawers are files, handcuffs (purchased), bottles of booze and a bunch of True Detective magazines. The mags can be opened and have a limited number of pages inside. I love the idea of a real private detective reading these magazines.
The parquet floor: little individual squares of stained wood. I'm kinda proud of it!
Beside the desk a coatrack with a grey felt fedora and umbrella.
The reward posters are the FBIs most wanted in the era, and John Dillinger. Dillinger was killed in 1934 but I'm fascinated by the mythology of certain criminals of the era so he stays put.
The little felt fedora isn't great. I wanted it to be great but my fingers were fumbly that Sunday and my dinner was ready. Wonky fedora it is.
A few years ago I made a bunch of umbrellas. When I found this in my stash I wanted to include it because it reminded me of the bookstore scene in The Big Sleep.
A filing cabinet sits in the corner. Its made of balsa wood. In a do-over I'd adjust the size and make the drawers functional so that I could fit all those file folders I made inside.
On top sits a camera. A purchased item that I added some paint to. Maybe one day I'll create a handmade version, because this one isn't fantastic.... but it'll do,
Next to the filing cabinet is a little era appropriate table.
The table is made of wood, paper, bamboo skewers and has half pearl feet.
The booze bottles and glasses were purchased. The bottles have had their wonky misaligned labels removed and replaced with era specific branded labels. Bacardi rum and gin just like Sam Spade likes.
Above the little table there is a portrait of Miles and Iva Archer. Miles was Sam's partner in The Maltese Falcon. Iva was Miles' wife. Iva was having an affair with Sam! Scandalous!
I couldn't find a movie still of the two together so I photoshopped the 'happy couple'.
On the floor of the office sits the Maltese Falcon. As in the movie I've wrapped the statue in 1930's Chinese newspaper and burlap. The figure itself is sculpted stoneware. That little guy was the only piece to survive it's firing. Must be lucky or cursed!
The lamp.
I struggled with lighting for this piece. Normally I don't light my pieces but this room required it. Initially I was going to add a ceiling fixture but it was too bulky for such a tiny space. Not long ago I bough a bunch of tiny battery operated lights for an altogether different project and messed around with using one in the office.
My son ended up giving me some really helpful suggestions for turning the light into a lamp and I am thrilled with it. I love the intimate glow it gives to the space. It was so simple to alter the light into a desk lamp that I'll be posting a quick tutorial because it's too good not to share.
And that's it! My tiny ode to old film noir detective movies. Yes, there are things I'd change or add (there should be a trench coat, no?) but overall I'm so pleased with much of this piece and I've learned a so much creating this piece.
I'll have that tiny lamp tutorial up in a week. For now, I'm going to enjoy the warm glow of the private eye room.
