silver leaf inlays

[rick landes]

I have done various silver inlays, patch boxes, etc. I am pondering the idea of merging silver engraved inlays along with carved acanthus leaves in the entry thimble location (kind of a wrap of the leaf), the back part of the wrist from the back stock area and the tang area and perhaps a bit in the rear left stock area behind the cheek piece.

My question is does anyone have any pics of something like this blend?
I am trying to visualize if I will do the silver leaves as more mature base or new growth of the leaves. I could say is it growing out of the silver or is the silver growing out of the stock base. I hope that makes sense.
I find I progress best once a basic visual is in my head. I am not out to duplicate another's work.

[Dave B]

I have seen this sort of thing done on a few contemporary pieces. In particular the one that comes to mind that uses silver in his carving  is David Price Here is a link to his web site. The contemporary swivel breach has silver sheet fronds?
http://www.davidpriceflintlocks.com/id38.html
The thing is you have to be careful not to over power your carving with too much silver.

[rick landes]

Your point is well taken. That is why I was hoping to see what balance others may have found. More than likely I will do a few trials before committing to cutting stock wood. I do not think I will be using wire inlay to accent the carving; I hope to make it part of the layout. I know that is very vague, but most of my designs start as such and develop as I draw and experiment.
At point I can only say the idea is to have the leaf "mature" into silver or be outgrowth from the stock base it. I have only seen thus far silver used as a mature extension from the carved base leaves, in the main as tendrils.
Thanks!

[Jim Kibler]

Just a warning..  In my view this sort of work is very difficult to pull off well.  Most attempts fail miserably in my view.  Not saying it can't be done and the results couldn't be stunning, but it wouldn't be easy...

Jim

[JTR]

Or you could just go a bit over board! 



John

[Acer Saccharum]

That's quite beautiful wire combined with inlay.

My concern with wire combined with relief carving is that the carving is lost against the brightness of the silver. If you tarnish the silver, or stain the carving a different color, it may work better visually.

[flintriflesmith]

Take a look at the two rifles Jud Brennan made in 2010 and 2011 for Charlie Kauffman that are posted on the contemporary makers blog spot:

http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/search?q=jud

One he built way before that for Gordon Barlow also had a lot of silver and carving but I don't seem to have a link to it. It was published in the CLA Broadside or such.

Gary

[Acer Saccharum]

Gary, thanks for the links to Judd's work. I think it depends on the design, what elements are juxtaposed. Judd's fancy carved rifle with silver accents does work visually for me. So does that wire with inlay buttstock pictured above.


I just suggest caution, because I believe it's a hard thing to pull off successfully.


Tom

[Pete G.]

Sort of like engraving a likeness of animals. It is either perfect or awful. Nothing in between.

[rick landes]

Thanks for the feedback and the pics/references. I am always appreciative of others taking from their life's time to share with me.

I am looking forward to the project. I like to be challenged for without it I will never improve, nor expand my craftsmanship. Life is too short to not explore my limitational boundaries.
Besides what else is a handicapped, near-sighted perfectionist to do!