THE SUBJECT - "Metals, Minerals and Gold"

Our immediate thought was that this was not the easiest of subjects for a group that works almost exclusively in wood veneer. We also wanted to make construction of our exhibit a Group project, something in which all our members could participate.

We discussed possible subjects for pictures - panning for gold, mine workings, geological strata, to name just a few - but nothing grabbed the imagination. Then the breakthrough - the idea of a piece of applied marquetry depicting an item normally made of metal or gold. From these deliberations grew the final subject - a sword - that met all three requirements. The blade is clearly "metal", the handle is decorated with "gold" and as well as the decorative mineral "stones" the whole thing is stuck in a large lump of "mineral"!

THE CONSTRUCTION

The handle was carved in two pieces and the blade shaped from a length of hardwood. These were joined to give the basic construction. The two Celtic knot patterns for the blade were hand-cut using conventional marquetry techniques using harewood (grey) and dyed black veneers. The six roundels were cut from pear, sycamore and dyed black veneers. All were applied using contact adhesive and the blade and handle finished using a burnished catalytic lacquer.

The handle was gilded with "gold" leaf, the grip bound with jute cord and the glass "stones" inserted. The rock is a hollow (but still heavy!) construction of cement and fibre-glass.

THE RESULT

A successful Group project which involved many Group members. Construction posed a number of technical problems and along the way we learnt some new techniques. The end result is an exhibit that proves there is more to marquetry than pictures of thatched cottages and birds on twigs!

We hope you find it interesting.