AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Ken G on May 20, 2022, 10:55:41 PM

Title: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Ken G on May 20, 2022, 10:55:41 PM

Just curious. What flowers are these representative of?  or the meaning for the inlay maybe?  I'm not planning on building any WV rifles but curiosity is getting the better of me.

Thanks in advance


(https://i.ibb.co/mCxzSBc/ALRSherwood-ST-1-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fYc0QSx)

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: ed lundquist on May 20, 2022, 11:18:49 PM

Columbine?, Honeysuckle?

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Tanselman on May 20, 2022, 11:39:05 PM

Some people think they are bellflowers, which can grow just about anywhere.

Shelby Gallien

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Stoner creek on May 20, 2022, 11:39:38 PM

Bell Flower! There’s one in relief on RCA #15. I’m fortunate enough to handle this one regularly.
 Good call Shelby!!

(https://i.ibb.co/vm2t2Y7/11-EE673-E-477-B-45-BC-AC6-C-AC54-D682-DDC5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d6nhngd)

anonymous image hosting (https://imgbb.com/)

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Gary Tucker on May 20, 2022, 11:59:32 PM

My wife says maybe Corabell or possibly a hollyhock. 

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: BOB HILL on May 21, 2022, 12:30:03 AM

On furniture carving  and gun work usually referred to as bellflowers. Beautiful example, Wayne.
Bob

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Tim Crosby on May 21, 2022, 12:47:57 AM

  Yes, Bellflowers, also frequently seen on on painted Pennsylvania Dowry/Hope chests.

  https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=9ZLqMV7r&id=159B7D9B5FADE37810F24E15C1B729DDD92B88AC&thid=OIP.9ZLqMV7rXkr5uk9gwsrVGgHaEf&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fimage.invaluable.com%2fhousePhotos%2fPookampPookInc%2f98%2f676798%2fH6808-L215834338.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.f592ea315eeb5e4af9ba4f60c2cad51a%3frik%3drIgr2d0pt8EVTg%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=606&expw=1000&q=painted+pennsylvania+dower+chests&simid=608014747776719305&FORM=IRPRST&ck=1CA385B8C753F19BFCAB33CCF6567C40&selectedIndex=6&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0


    Tim C.

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: 120RIR on May 21, 2022, 01:38:45 AM

Tulips...just take a look at Pennsylvania German Fraktur and comparable works. They were common period motifs...like hearts.

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Mike Brooks on May 21, 2022, 02:37:13 AM

I vote two lips

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: RAT on May 21, 2022, 03:02:11 AM

They are tulips. According to the book "The Fraktur-Writings or Illuminated Manuscripts of the Pennsylvania Germans" by Donald A. Shelley...

"The Tulip was the most favored of all flower motifs, whether on pottery, glass, china, pinted tin, butter molds, furniture, or on Fraktur".

They were common on engraved powder horns. Several rifles are pictured in "Rifles of Colonial America" with tulip carving.

It didn't develop in America... it came here from Europe. According to Shelley... "the tulip was first seen at Vienna about 1559".

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Lucky R A on May 21, 2022, 01:37:05 PM

         The flowers illustrated are indeed Bellflowers.  There are distinct differences between Bellflowers and Tulips.  Bellflowers have a round projection at the terminus of the stem where the bottom of the flower begins.  Tulips usually have three peddles terminating in sharp ends.  While similar in appearance they are two different flowers.  Study the illustrations of Fraktur, and the differences become readily apparent in the small details.
Ron

Title: Re: What flowers are these inlays
Post by: Ken G on May 22, 2022, 12:23:48 AM

Thanks for all the responses.

Ken