Szymon Klimek Photos

Miniature Brass Coach

A tiny and very delicate brass coach is adorned with flowers and jewels. The rims on a pair of glasses can just barely be seen in the top right corner, but they still give a sense of the miniature scale.

Solar-Powered Steam Engine

A functional solar-powered steam engine is displayed inside a wine glass.

Miniature Bugatti Construction

A small Bugatti car begins to take shape from flat sheet brass.

Miniature Bugatti Construction

The Bugatti body is assembled. Note the engraved details and seat pattern.

Miniature Oscillating Steam Engine

This tiny oscillating steam engine is driven by an electric motor, which is powered by the small solar panel on the left side of the model. This engine is similar to Szymon’s Victorian engine, “Susi.”

Szymon’s Workshop

A look into Szymon’s workshop shows some of the tools he uses to make tiny brass artwork.

Miniature Locomotive Construction

Progress on a small steam locomotive.

Miniature Locomotive Construction

A closer look at the tiny locomotive as it neared completion.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

According to Szymon, Susi is the name of the tiny brass snail sitting atop the solar panel that powers this Victorian steam engine.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

Szymon donated this work of art to the Craftsmanship Museum in 2010, where it’s now on display for visitors to admire up close.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

If you turn the goblet upside down in front of at least a 30-watt light source, the weight of the flyable regulator will cause the flywheel to start turning. Once in motion, a tiny hidden electric motor starts the flywheel spinning, using an electrical current generated by the solar panel.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

If you place the sculpture about 8” from the low power light source (in our case, a 12-volt taillight bulb), it will still run silently as long as the light remains on.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

The engine is decorated with small jewels, clumps of purple and red grapes, and tiny brass leaves. One can only marvel at the skill needed to assemble such delicate etched brass parts.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

Photographing a tiny object inside of a glass goblet is difficult because of the reflections, but hopefully you can see the fine details in the paper-thin brass elements.

“Susi” Victorian Steam Engine

We were pleased that, like the Adler train donated by Szymon, this piece arrived with no damage after being shipped all the way from Poland. It is yet another testament to Szymon’s engineering skill that he was able to package these delicate models in such a way that they would remain unharmed.

Miniature Beam Engine

This tiny beam engine, and the solar panel that drives it, are displayed elegantly inside the glass.

Miniature Brass Models

A wide variety of miniature brass projects are on display, including automobiles, brass beds, a perambulator, and even a fanciful pumpkin coach.

Miniature Steam Engine Construction

A tiny steam engine begins to take shape.

Miniature Steam Engine Construction

The nearly finished brass steam engine.

Miniature Brass Bicycle

A tiny model of one of the first known bicycles features a gentleman’s bowler hat, and a flat pair of gloves on the seat. Jewels decorate the small model.

Miniature Brass Gift Boxes

A group of highly decorated brass gift boxes are displayed underneath a domed glass cover, as if they are in an aquarium.

Miniature Brass Models

Shown here are several miniature brass cars, coaches, a train, and a gift box. It makes for an interesting artistic grouping.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

This is one of the miniature Adler locomotives that Szymon built. The Adler was one of the early steam locomotives designed by Stephenson, in England, and built on contract for Germany. The single-edge razorblade on the right gives a sense of scale.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

The Adler (meaning “Eagle” in German) was the first commercial railroad engine to operate in Germany, starting in 1835.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

Miniature Adler Locomotive

A pair of glasses gives scale reference in these last photos of the Adler.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

The Adler miniature that was donated to the Craftsmanship Museum also has two water barrels on a tender behind it.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

Miniature Adler Locomotive

The miniature Adler now enclosed in glass.

Miniature Adler Locomotive

Miniature Locomotive and Tender Construction

A tiny locomotive and tender are pictured during the building process.

Miniature Mercedes Simplex

Szymon’s tiny brass Mercedes Simplex.

Miniature Mercedes Simplex

Miniature Mercedes Simplex

Miniature Mercedes Simplex

Szymon Klimek and His Niece

Miniature “Gabka” Sculpture

This newer creation from Szymon is called “Gabka,” or “Sponge.” The mechanical motion gives the appearance of a sponge expanding and contracting.

Miniature “Gabka” Sculpture

Some of the parts for this model came from a previous project that was partially destroyed in an accident. All was not lost, as the project was reborn in a new form as “Gabka.”