Sheryl Koch Chesnik-Koch 1985 Brass Kaleidoscope w/ Agate & Stained Glass Wheels

A signed double-wheel kaleidoscope by Sheryl Koch, co-founder of Chesnik-Koch, Ltd. — the St. Louis partnership she formed with Peach Reiner Chesnik in 1980 that helped launch the modern American studio kaleidoscope movement. Their work is held in the Strong Museum of Play and was featured in the foundational Brewster Society exhibitions that elevated the kaleidoscope from parlor toy to collected art form. This example pairs a polished brass barrel with twin object wheels at the viewing end: one wheel composed of sliced agate and geode sections set into leaded mirrored glass, the second built from cut stained glass panels in jewel tones — amber, cobalt, emerald, amethyst, ruby — leaded together in the artist's hand-soldered cames.

The barrel is engraved in script "Sheryl Koch 6·85" near the eyepiece collar and rests in its original fitted oak cradle base, which retains the gold "Kaleidoscopes by Chesnik-Koch, Ltd. © Copyright 1980" label on the underside. Rotating the wheels against ambient light produces the layered agate-and-jewel mandalas the partnership became known for.

CONDITION

Good overall, with one cracked panel on the stained glass wheel noted as the principal flaw. The brass barrel shows light surface oxidation and minor patina spotting concentrated at the eyepiece end; the oak cradle is sound and the original maker's label remains intact and legible.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall on Base: 12" W × 6.25" H × 4" D
• Materials: Brass, Copper, Stained Glass, Agate/Geode, Mirror
• Configuration: Double object wheel, hand-turned
• Base: Oak, fitted cradle form with felt feet
• Signed: "Sheryl Koch 6·85" engraved on barrel near eyepiece
• Maker's Label: Kaleidoscopes by Chesnik-Koch, Ltd. © Copyright 1980
• Maker: Sheryl Koch (American, b. 1950s) / Chesnik-Koch, Ltd., St. Louis, MO
• Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale