Viking Sword. The Relic As Art.
I am currently working on this project. It is a carved slab of Manitoba Maple. I have restored a 1000 year old Viking sword that I will mount to this slab. It can then be displayed on a hallway wall or above a fireplace. It has a substantial weight and height of approximately 36 inches. I will post photos of my progress. If you might be interested in this carving, inquiries are welcome. See ordering and pricing information.
I'll go a fair bit deeper with the design. The idea is to apply aniline stain to give the wood a thousand year old look. I thought a lot about the sword today. This work is about the sword. Maybe a celebration of the idea that it has come down through the ages. I wonder how many generations used that sword in battle and to what end did the last owner have to give it up. A viking sword is a very mystical and enchanting item of history. With the right perspective and respect, you can feel the power of its magic. With this work, I hope to show the degree of respect and admiration I feel for the artisans and craftsmen that created these weapons , also for the works of art that they clearly were. January 20, 2012.
February 2 2012, Cleaning up the details, mixing and matching different shades of aniline dyes. Figuring out the best way to hang the fragile sword, I will probably custom fit a brass hook arrangement of my own design with Saxon embellishments.
Feb 12 2013 Looking for a spot to lay the sword. This may take some time as the hanging apparatus must be hidden.
February 27,2013. With a few minor things to clear up, I'm pretty much finished. Hanging it as if floating was a challenge. It's amazing what Kevlar thread can do, combined with heavy earth magnets. It's safe hanging forever.
January 25, 2014. I can say that after several years of working with this carving, I am finished. The coloration works very well in harmony with the sword. The carving is meant to embellish the sword, not detract from it. By lighting the colors I was able to get the effect I was looking for.
February 2 2012, Cleaning up the details, mixing and matching different shades of aniline dyes. Figuring out the best way to hang the fragile sword, I will probably custom fit a brass hook arrangement of my own design with Saxon embellishments.
Feb 12 2013 Looking for a spot to lay the sword. This may take some time as the hanging apparatus must be hidden.
February 27,2013. With a few minor things to clear up, I'm pretty much finished. Hanging it as if floating was a challenge. It's amazing what Kevlar thread can do, combined with heavy earth magnets. It's safe hanging forever.
January 25, 2014. I can say that after several years of working with this carving, I am finished. The coloration works very well in harmony with the sword. The carving is meant to embellish the sword, not detract from it. By lighting the colors I was able to get the effect I was looking for.
The Sword. Below is the relic sword I will mount on to the carving.It is an authentic 10th-12th century Viking sword that I have painstakingly and lovingly restored. I am not sure if I will leave as is or look for a pommel and crossguard.The sword will be mounted off the slab 3/4 of an inch high and will extend below the slab 2 or 3 inches (pictured under the sword is the actual Maple slab). I have purchased a very nice set of brass sword fittings that have been aged with torched copper sulphite. Hopefully they will look a thousand years old. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not selling a sword. This is about a wood carving incorporating an authentic Viking sword. It's not a carving that will appeal to everyone, however it will be a powerful piece for someone when finished. Keep checking in on my progress. I'm not hurrying and I have several other carvings on the go. December 27, 2012.
