Twisted Tower [de Young Museum] Jewelry Box

San Francisco's spectacular new de Young Museum (below),

designed by Herzog & de Meuron, has had a "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"–like effect on designers in many areas.

You will recall how Richard Dreyfuss in the early part of that film became obsessed with building a strangely–shaped clay mound in his home, little knowing that it was a sign from the aliens that they'd be landing in a place that resembled his creation.

Maybe Herzog & de Meuron are aliens, now that I think about it.

Maybe we're all aliens.

I mean, "Stranger in a Strange Land" wasn't just the title of a book, you know....

But I digress.

From artist Miki Szabo comes the Australian lacewood jewelry box pictured at the top of this post, sculpted from a single slab of wood.

It uncoils to reveal seven silk velvet–lined compartments for your treasures.

Better make sure you really, really like someone before you give her this.

The box comes in two sizes: the small is 7" x 4" x 11" tall; the large is 10" x 5" X 16" high.

$1,050 and $1,950, respectively, here.

But perhaps you don't have a computer (I don't know why that amuses me so but it does which is why I keep repeating it): no problema.

Call 415-750-3642 and you can do it the old–fashioned way.

You know how to do things the old–fashioned way, don't you?

You just... ah, never mind.

[via Karen E. Steen and the New York Times "Currents" feature]