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Minggu, 06 Maret 2016

When Inspiration Surfaces

I was a little stuck. I needed to carve another bible box and I needed ideas and inspiration for the carvings that make these boxes so unique. With my previous attempt at one of these boxes I took the front Fleur De Lis pattern directly from Peter Follansbees article on carving and building a bible box. I am very happy with the way that one turned out but this time around I didnt want to copy from as much as be inspired by.
In the end I didnt completely pull this off, but Im happy with the results at any rate.
I wanted to show the pieces and carvings I took inspiration from and share the journey.
It really began with seeing this joined chest in the pages of the book "American Furniture: Understanding Styles, Construction, and Quality" by John T Kirk. (The Star Trek fan in me can hardly handle that name without saying something like "Dammit Jim Im a doctor not an Anthropological Ornithologist) For whatever reason I was drawn to this opposing hearts pattern.
At its basic shape its a riff on an "S" curve pattern, and I started to play with drawing the form and it evolved in my sketchbook.
 The original idea I settled on was to carve a double repetition of the pattern you see on the graph paper. Now I went and decided on my stock. My day job kept me from making a timely visit to my hardwood dealer, so I eventually made a visit to the closest home store. I was unimpressed with the oak in the stacks, severely unimpressed, eventually I settled on the species that passes for mahogany. Ive used it before and it carves nicely as long as you have the a good section of board. I tried to pick as carefully as possible.
The width of board limited me somewhat so before I started laying out the carvings on the stock, I cut some paper to width and saw how much stretch of board I would get. I didnt get a picture but the result was very out of proportion length of board in relation to its width. Much more length than I wanted. So it was back to the drawing board for me.
For my money, one of the best places to go for inspiration and just a general photo collection of 17th century carvings and furniture is Peter Follansbees blog Joiners Notes. After a little while cruising around his site I fell upon this picture.
A "S" curve flanking a central circle. Now there was a great idea. I decided to go with it and try it out on another larger piece of paper.
Now I was much happier with my proportions, I decided to go ahead and start carving. I cut my stock, planed it flat and smooth, and marked things out using a pair of dividers and a scratch awl.
This is eventually where things ended up. The hearts turned out differently, but things like this take on a life of their own once you starts.
From the front of the box I moved on to the side panels, Here is where I stumbled a bit. As I was looking through pictures on Peters blog I came across this shot of a box he keeps under his bench to hold some odds and ends.
I fell in love with the carving. I had to do my own take on it.
I carved a pair of these panels to flank the front panel, but when I attached them using traditional rabbets and nails I decided to turn the carvings upside down from the presentation Peter used.
The nails I used are from Horton Brasses and are called Wrought Head Nails. they simulate blacksmith made nails and they really look great. I used the 1 1/2" variety (N-6).
I shiplapped a couple pine boards to make up the bottom of the box and moved on to carving the lid.
More on carving the lid next time.
Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf

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