Author Topic: The Griffin (Read 14569 times)

seesbirds · « **on:** May 06, 2015, 11:06:49 PM »

A guy called me about 18 months ago and wanted me to reproduce a horn I had done a couple of years ago. I told him that I did not do the same horn twice but that I'd work with him to try and come up with a design he liked. In doing some research on his family name I found that his family crest had a griffin in it. I suggested this image to him and after going back and forth he bailed, so the commission fell through. However, I liked the image so much that I decided to do a horn with it on it.

In the image, the Griffin representing vigilance is subduing Cupid, representing the passions.

Around the base, band with three griffins in it. These little guys are 1.25" x .625"

Beneath the engrailing, a kind of classical border

on the inside curve, an open cartouche for the owner's name

Thanks for looking. Questions, comments, and critique cheerfully accepted.

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:15:48 PM »

oooh.... ahhh.... That is just too pretty for words.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:16:21 PM »

Outstanding scrimshaw, and a great theme.

T*O*F · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2015, 01:32:24 AM »

Mark,
You should put a name on it.

Harry Potter
His Horn

David Rase · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2015, 02:23:36 AM »

Mark, as always, outstanding work. I even like that you left the horn white. I really like it. How about a picture of your scrimshaw tools in the background?
David

Tony N · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2015, 04:39:25 AM »

Amazing!!

~Tony

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2015, 02:34:31 PM »

Mark, you continue to amaze, what Beautiful work, the Very Best.

Tim C.

T.C.Albert · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2015, 05:12:03 PM »

Fantastic work Mark...got to ask, would you tell where you got the snow white horn?
Amazing stuff...
tc

PPatch · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2015, 07:09:51 PM »

The sgraffito detail is superlative. The individual who opted out really missed an opportunity for something exceptional! Very nice horn Mark.

dave

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2015, 07:29:21 PM »

Mark, Is all that shading done one nick at a time or is there some tool you use?

ScottH · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2015, 07:47:13 PM »

One word comes to mind:

Stunning!

seesbirds · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2015, 10:17:06 PM »

Thanks everybody for the kind words and encouragement.

Shreckmeister: yes, the dots were placed one at a time by hand. I do have a stippling machine but I don't use it very often. Mostly where I need a very dark line or a black fill. The arms on the cartouche are the only pace I used the machine on this one.

T.C. : Honestly I don't remember where I got the horn. I try to get the whitest horns I can find and this one I've had for a few years. I'm almost out of horns now so I am going to have to try and scare up a few more.

Dave: I'm traveling right now but I'll be home tomorrow and I'll post a follow up with photos of my tools for you. Basically all I use are Coulter precision tips. I have them from 30 degrees to 60 degrees (included angles) the 30's are too brittle to scratch with although the fractured tip is not visible except under the microscope, but they make a very tiny yet deep hole, so they hold ink very well. I simply turned the pen shaped handles out of some figured maple I had lying around. The other tool I use to do engraving is a small xacto knife which I use when I need to cut a straight line and I am going across the grain.

crowbarforge · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2015, 04:03:00 AM »

Beautiful Horn. Wow!

old george · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2015, 05:25:12 AM »

That is fantastic both the theme and the workmanship.

Geo

aaronc · « **Reply #14 on:** May 29, 2015, 04:07:56 PM »

That is some high end scrim Mark,......thanks for posting. It's inspiring work.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #15 on:** May 29, 2015, 06:20:45 PM »

Wow. I agree with every one else, fantastic workmanship,great horn and great theme.

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2015, 12:11:36 AM »

Wonderful horn. What patience to produce it....

The Original Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2015, 01:21:33 PM »

Gorgeous, I hope it is coming long in two weeks, I wanna see it.

walks with gun · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2015, 05:23:12 PM »

Stunning, just flipping stunning, great work.

cmac · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2015, 06:53:31 PM »

Amazing!

Dr. Tim-Boone · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:21:50 AM »

Wow! I really like that horn, You did everything just the way it seems to look best!!

acorn20 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2015, 07:32:49 AM »

I had the opportunity to view this horn this weekend in Gettysburg at the "History Meets the Arts" show. This isn't your average scrimshaw. The workmanship is absolutely stunning to see first hand. I certainly wouldn't have the patience. Beautiful work Mark!

Don Steele · « **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2015, 01:08:13 PM »

Quote from: T*O*F on May 07, 2015, 01:32:24 AM

Mark,
You should put a name on it.

Harry Potter
His Horn

I'll second that suggestion..!!
If I were capable...I'd enjoy doing an entire motif on a horn in "Hogwarts" stylings.

hanshi · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2015, 08:24:24 PM »

Incredible horn! Now that's a masterwork.

Standing Bear · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2015, 09:08:22 PM »

All of the superlatives that I thought of have already been used so I'll just say "Ditto".
TC

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Author Topic: The Griffin (Read 14569 times)

seesbirds

seesbirds