Mini-Conundrum - by GarE Maxton

May 15, 2017: Mini-Conundrum available on Layaway Plan only. Will also be offering Mini-Conundrum Rev 2 which contains 20 pieces and at least 5 different metals. Pictures will be available later this year.

October 25, 2016: I've added more metal options for the Mini-Conundrum metal central 1" box. Also, the 2 piece box, top and bottom pieces are now machined and surface ground for the most precise fit.

September 15, 2009: Mini-Conundrum has been modified and the sculptures being sold are Mini-Conundrum Rev 1 which contains 19 pieces adding slightly to the complexity. (See photograph of all 19 Elements below)

SUMMER 2006

Welcome,

I'm releasing my latest metal sculpture named Mini-Conundrum. For those of you that have trouble lifting my other sculptures, this should be just what the doctor ordered. No more back injuries from moving my creations! You can easily carry this one around! It's composed of at least 6 different metals (like my original Conundrum) so it's quite colorful AND with 17* separate pieces it's reasonably complicated to assemble. The final puzzle piece is light weight and magnetically locks into place; so you don't have to concern yourself with it falling out if the sculpture is turned upside down.

In the center of each seventeen* piece sculpture is a 1 inch metal cube. This can be either a bronze cube or a copper box for hiding something rather small. The choices are shown below.
* Please Note - Mini-Conundrum Rev 1 is the currently available version of Mini-Conundrum with 19 pieces instead of the original 17.

Mini-Conundrum

MiniConundrum #1 in the collection of Peter Meek of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Mini-Conundrum Rev 1 & 2 - Puzzle Sculpture (Signed and Numbered)
Rev 2 - 20 interlocking pieces. Rev 1 - 19 interlocking pieces

Rev 2
$1795.00
Rev 1
$1695.00
plus S/H

Layaway Only

For Packaging, Shipping and Insurance:
add 3% anywhere in the continental United States OR add 5% to Canada, Alaska or Hawaii, EU, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand.
Elsewhere; E-mail gmaxton@maxton.com for actual packaging, shipping and insurance fees.

Recent variations of the standard Mini-Conundrum sculpture produced 2017........

September 2017

Mini-Conundrum, Rev 2 #44 has 20 pieces, beveled edges, a beautiful polished surface and the central cube is a makume-gané box .

August 2017

Mini-Conundrum #43 has a light patina and the central cube is a copper box.

The components of Mini-Conundrum have the same satisfying size and appearance as those found in my most complex sculpture.... Conundrum III;
there's just a lot fewer of them. Hopefully, it's not too difficult to assemble or disassemble and I'll guarantee it's more portable than it's larger brethren;
You'll be able to take it out to show your friends.

I've added a photograph showing the differences between the lighter and darker patinas.

When fully assembled, Mini-Conundrum forms a 2" metal cube weighing approx 2.0 pounds! This is a limited edition; each sculpture is numbered.
A certificate of authenticity is included with each sculpture. Mini-Conundrum comes ready to assemble!

I will also be releasing special variations of this sculpture from time to time..............

Special variations of the standard Mini-Conundrum sculpture will be produced from time to time........

June 2007 Mini-Conundrum #25 has beveled edges and a beautiful polished surface.		August 2007 Mini-Conundrum #26 is solid bronze with a polished finish and beveled edges.		May 2008 Mini-Conundrum #21 has a polished finish, beveled edges AND a Micro-Conundrum hidden inside.
May 2008 Mini-Conundrum #36 is composed of 24 pieces with a matching Micro-Conundrum hidden inside.		October 2006 Mini-Conundrum #7 was produced with a jewel like appearance, brushed finish and beveled edges.		March 2007 Mini-Conundrum #9 offered this polished finish and a sharper image.

Art Mailing List

Please join my mailing list for announcements regarding availability of future variations.

Mini-Conundrum Rev 1- All 19 elements

Rounded edges allow pleasant contact with each of the 6 or more different metals used in this sculpture. Fully assembled, the nineteen pieces form a 2 inch cube.

Mini-Conundrum Rev 2- All 20 elements

When fully assembled, these twenty rounded pieces form Miniconundrum Rev 2 which is also 2 inch cube.

Spring 2007

I've designed a new puzzle sculpture that uses all the pieces of my Mini-Conundrum, plus an even greater number of new pieces.............. It's called Mini-Conundrum X2 and you can click on the link to read more.

Mini-Conundrum X2 - Composed of a Mini-Conundrum plus additional elements

The Mini-Conundrum cube on the left plus these additional pieces can be assembled into a larger cube called Mini-Conundrum X2. Assembly without a photograph of the finished Mini-Conundrum X2 cube is extremely difficult.

October 2011- The Silver central cube is no longer available for the Mini-Conundrum series.
December 2007- The Tungsten central cube is no longer available.

If you need more information, please don't hesitate to call me weekdays 9-5 EST at 734-662-4273 or Contact GarE Maxton by email.

Best Regards,

GarE Maxton

E-mail by Peter Meek upon solving Mini-Conundrum #1 September 12, 2006, in Ann Arbor, Michigan "This is a tremendous puzzle! Very nice balance between difficulty and accessibility. If you can get it into the hands of some experienced puzzlers, they should find it a good workout without being frustrating. I think it would be the puzzle they use to introduce other talented puzzle-solvers to your puzzles. I think anyone who has ever solved anything beyond beginner puzzles could solve this in an evening or two, and experienced solvers in one evening."

Size

in comparison to a Washington quarter

Maxton's Largest and Smallest Cubes
As of Summer 2006

PHOTOGRAPHED TO SCALE

Above: David Bigelow's Symmetry I Proof (a 5" cube)
Below: Mini-Conundrum #16 (a 2" cube)

Mini-Conundrum Rev 1 - #38

Mini-Conundrum - #9
(Mini-Conundrum sculptures with polished surfaces command a substantial price premium and are available by special order only)

Mini-Conundrum - #5

Mini-Conundrum - #22