Jeff de Boer : Armor for Cats and Mice

"15th Century Maximilian Rat"

A few years ago i stumbled across Jeffs' work, both technically amazing and fascinating. Jeff's farther was a professional tin smith and many of his skills stem form that relationship. His works are both amusing an incredibly beautiful. Showing what a little idea with astonishing implementation can create a fantastic series of works.

Jeff's website Bio states "Jeff de Boer was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 1963, the fourth child of Dutch immigrants Andy and Maria de Boer. Being that his father was a professional tin smith, Jeff grew up exposed to the endless possibilities of metal. From the age of five, he knew that he wanted to be an artist. He spent his growing years painting and drawing, but just as importantly, he made objects. During his last years of high school, he started to take a serious interest in metal work and during this time built his first suit of armour. After graduating, he spent the next few years independently developing his craft, as well as learning techniques from a blacksmith. In 1984, he enrolled at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), where he majored in jewellery design. In the fall of 1986, while a student at ACAD, he combined his new skills in jewellery construction with his knowledge of armour-making to produce the world's first and only suit of armour for a mouse."


"Gladiator Cat Helmet"

To read more of Jeff's Bio or to check out Jeff's website click the link, or to get some more images follow the jump to some more content, Enjoy!



"Persian Cat Helmet"


"Samurai Cat"


"Tournament Mouse"


"White Knight Mouse"