The Crock of Gold Hoard – Finished
Chipwork Detail
Here is a close up of the finished chipwork on the Crock of Gold Hoard. I’m very pleased with how it has turned out. Especially with a strong side light, there is the right mixture of glint and dullness to suggest old, tarnished metal. I’ve used a mixture of rough purl (both tarnished and untarnished), and check purl, in several shades of silver and gold.
I decided not to use any of the pearl purl, which I used to create the effect of bangles and broken jewellery in the lid. I’ve taken care not to over crowd the chips, because if they started to pile up, it would reduce the illusion of recession that I’m trying to create.
You may recall that last time I posted I had only just spotted the Amulet, set in front of the Crock for the photograph, and I was wondering whether or not to include it in this particular piece. I’m intending to work an or nué version of the Amulet, so even if I fail to include it here, it will still figure in the completed panels.
Crock of Gold Finished
With Kid Amulet
I could simply tell you what I decided, without explanation, but I think that would be unfair.
This first photo shows the piece as I originally intended to finish it. There are the sticks in the foreground, the deep blue shadows of the Egyptian sun, the Crock, its Lid, and the chipwork and curls of the fragments of metal.
I think it looks pretty good, and in fact I’ve decided to leave it like this, without adding the Amulet.
The second photo shows my experiment with adding the Amulet. Since creating the Amulet in stitchery would risk causing damage to the fabric, damage which would be impossible to repair if I dislike the effect, I thought that using silver kid leather would be ideal.
I cut out the Amulet shape – approximately – and laid it on the piece, shifting it around and looking at it in different lights. In some lights, the silver kid drew the eye to such an extent that the rest of the piece might just as well not have been there. In others, it looked like a greyish smudge, killing all the other colours, losing the sunshine and shadow. What it didn’t do, in any light, was create the sense of dialogue between the Amulet and the Crock it had been guarding so faithfully for so many centuries that I was looking for.
I’ve kept the piece of leather I cut out, and may, later, add the padding and stitching to give it form, and keep it to sneak onto the finished work as a challenge for the viewer – Find The Hittite Amulet!
Congratulations! The chip work is just right and the finished piece is a truimph. I agree the cutout Amulet does nothing to enhance your Crock of Gold piece but I know that your will work out the best way to stitch and include it in the end.
Beautiful, fabulous work. Well done! I am in awe.
It looks fabulous! I hope you finish the hidden amulet later and frame them together so the amulet continues to work its magic on the hoard.
Great job.
Oh Rachel — this is absolutely perfect! I love everything about it — its story, its colors and shading and techniques. Wonderful, wonderful!
Hmmm. Tricky decision about the amulet. The last thing in the world that you want to do is ruin all the exquisite work you have done so far. I think ‘find the amulet’ is the best solution! Loved the sea tractor too and the little sampler piece – I could maybe tackle something like that one day! xCathy
It looks really really lovely!
Beautifully done, Rachel. I think leaving the amulet off is the right decision. Could an amulet possibly be included attached elsewhere on the finished piece by a little cord…? Just an idea for you to file away in the big bag of ideas for when you get to that point. How is Dreams of Armana coming along as an entity?
Yay!
Can we have a photo taken at an angle to show the dimensionality?
Congratulations the finished piece does look good. As to the amulet, I think your eye will be drawn to it because it is new, not because it shouldn’t be there, if that makes sense. I think your idea of moving it around on the piece is a good.
Stunning work, Rachel -many congratulations, and I agree about moving the amulet.
Loved the Sea tractor btw!
stunning!!! what a fantastic piece. I hope you feel a real sense of pride, you deserve to. I absolutely love this piece and am in awe of your your precision along with your skill.
It is fabulous, wonderful, amazing …… can you tell I really, really like it! Stunning work!!
Truly beautiful of 3-D effect. Pretty color and texture. Love your work as always.
I think it’s hard to see how the amulet will work as just a cut out shape, but I’m sure your creative subconscious will find the best solution. I love the chip work in the basket: it’s worked out really well and is just so effective!!
Congratulations Rachel ! It’s a beautiful piece and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading your progress,thanks a lot for sharing.I like it without the silver Amulet but am sure that you’ll find a way to include it later .