With the increasing disappearance of stained glass in medieval churches, the surviving wood carvings on church misericords and bench ends are extremely important in providing an insight into the medieval mind. The carved images were often used to convey the messages of the Christian faith in the Middle Ages but they were not just concerned with religion and religious symbols - they also told stories of mythology, humour and satire, showing illustrations of everyday life and people. This book outlines the history of church seating and discusses the craftsmen and the influences behind their work. Using illustrations, the author then explains the subject matter of these wood carvings, revealing how one can discover so much about medieval life - the spiritualism, moralism and the wit - within the carvings still found in churches today.

Ivory has been held in the highest esteem for millennia. This comprehensive and authoritative study of this beautiful and versatile material provides a global history of ivory - from the myths and beliefs held by prehistoric man, through its utilitarian uses in the Arctic and the beautiful carvings in medieval Europe, to its links with war, the slave trade, and religion. Covering in detail its composition and unique properties, its sources in the animal kingdom and their conservation status, the book demonstrates how ageing and the different types of ivory and its imitations can be tested for and identified with confidence. Ivory also explores how it has been worked by craftsmen and used over the years, from carving and marquetry to the manufacture of black paint, as well as the methods employed. Sound advice and useful tips are provided on caring for ivory and on how to deal with ivory that has been damaged, for example, by stains, scratches, cracks, or dirt. Lavishly illustrated throughout with colour photographs, Ivory is an invaluable guide for collectors, antique dealers, curators, gemmologists, conservationists and frequenters of flea markets, as well as those who simply love this attractive material.

In 1985, photographer and writer Vickie Jensen spent three months with Nisga'a artist Norman Tait and his crew of young carvers as they transformed a raw cedar log into a forty-two-foot totem pole for the BC Native Education Centre. Having spent years recovering the traditional knowledge that informed his carving, Tait taught his crew to make their own tools, carve, and design regalia, and together they practiced traditional stories and songs for the pole-raising ceremony. Totem Pole Carving shares two equally rich stories: the step-by-step work of carving and the triumph of Tait teaching his crew the skills and traditions necessary to create a massive cultural artifact. Jensen captures the atmosphere of the carving shed-the conversations and problem-solving, the smell of fresh cedar chips, the adzes and chainsaws, the blistered hands, the tension-relieving humor, the ever-present awareness of tradition, and the joy of creation. Generously illustrated with 125 striking photographs, and originally published as Where the People Gather, this second edition features a new preface from Jensen and an updated, lifetime-spanning survey of Tait's major works.

Cleve Taylor has traded chaps and spurs for a rod and reel with this new carving book. He captures the foibles and follies of fishermen in four basswood figures, and reveals the subtle secrets of facial expression. Clear instructions take the carver through each step of the project from the initial pattern layout to the final painting and mounting of the finished figure. Over 235 color photographs clearly illustrate the instructions. A photo gallery at the end of the book shows several fishermen caught in situations every fisherman will quickly recognize. This is a perfect book for the intermediate to advanced carver and an inspiring challenge to beginners.

Art, war, carnival or cult — masks have two sides: They conceal and hide, and at the same time create new personalities, strange and captivating at once. So, too, do masks reveal world views of time and place: cult masks from Africa, mediaeval knight helmets, fantasy masks of famous film heroes like Darth Vader, or gas masks and VR glasses as modern functional objects. In this new photo book, Russian photographer Olga Michi traces our millennia-old fascination with masks. Her expressive pictures place the masks centre-stage, creating a new, surrealistic aesthetic. With fascinating texts on each mask’s cultural-historical significance, this high-quality photo book delights, informs, and ignites the imagination. Text in English, French, German, and Russian.

In 1966 Mark Gambier Parry bequeathed to the Courtauld Gallery the art collection formed by his grandfather Thomas Gambier Parry, who died in 1888. In addition to important paintings, Renaissance glass and ceramics, and Islamic metalwork, this included 28 medieval and Renaissance ivories. Since 1967 about half of the ivories have been on permanent display at The Courtauld, yet they have remained largely unknown, even to experts. This catalogue is the first publication dedicated solely to the collection. There are examples of the highest quality of ivory carving, both secular and religious in content, and a number of the objects are of outstanding interest. They are a revealing tribute to the perceptive eye of Thomas Gambier Parry, a distinguished Victorian collector and Gothic Revival artist responsible for a number of richly painted church interiors in England, such as the Eastern part of the nave ceiling, and the octagon, at Ely Cathedral.The earliest objects in date, probably late 11th century, are the group of walrus ivory plaquettes set into the sides and lids of a casket, portraying the Apostles and Christ in Majesty surrounded by the symbols of the Evangelists. The style leaves little doubt that they should be associated with a group of portable altars at Kloster Melk in Austria. A gap of some two centuries separates the casket panels from the next important object - the central portion of an ivory triptych, containing a Deesis group of Christ enthroned between angels holding instruments of the Passion in the upper register, and the Virgin and Child between candle-bearing angels below. The style of the ivory relates it securely to the atelier of the Soissons Diptych in the Victoria & Albert Museum. The Gambier-Parry fragment employs bold cutting of the frame to accentuate the three-dimensional quantities of the relief. Somewhat later in date, towards the middle of the 14th century, is a complete diptych of the Crucifixion and Virgin with angels, the faces of which Gambier-Parry described as worthy of Luini. The extraordinary foreshortening of the swooning Virgin's head can happily be paralleled to a diptych in the Schoolmeesters Collection, Lie'ge, bythe aterlie aux visages caracte'rise's, as named by Raymond Koechlin. The Gambier- Parry diptych, must rank with the finest productions of the workshop.

Bottle spirits swirl around in bottles of all kinds. Sometimes they glimmer in the glass. You can always hear them if a breeze or your breath passes over the top of the bottle. But it's not too often that they show their faces. So how do you know at first glance what’s really inside a bottle? Once you decide what kind of spirits are living in your bottles, Tom Wolfe will set you to work carving charming faces to match. Using small pieces of scrap wood, basic carving tools and paint, and not much time, Tom guides the reader through the carving of a rebel soldier, a viking, and a laughing imp. The finished carvings could be hung around a bottle, a neck, on a Christmas tree, or anywhere else that could use a little personality! More than 200 color photos paired with step-by-step instructions demonstrate the process, and a full-color gallery of 20 different carved bottle spirits that would stimulate anyone's imagination. Ideal for both the novice or more experienced carver, this book explores Tom's basic approach to carving a face and the countless possibilities, simple or intricate, that follow.

The sea-faring odyssey of Noah, his family, and the world's animals collected two-by-two is well known to young and old. David Sabol brings the story to life with a series of lively and expressively carved and painted animals and characters. David introduces his readers to the use of the traditional carving and realistic coloring techniques which give his carvings a distinctive design, personality, and charm. Step-by-step techniques for carving Noah's wife or one of several animals native to North America. The combination of clear explanation and color photos make each step easy to follow. Patterns include: Mrs. Noah, two turkeys, pumas, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and opossums. This new book will provide hours of pleasure for all carvers from novice to professionals, giving them varied and exciting challenges and beautifully detailed results that will please them.

During the early years of the nation, the eagle was adopted as the symbol of America. From that time to this it has been a favorite subject of carvers. It has adorned buildings, signs, furniture, and boats. It has carried banners of E. Pluribus Unum and Happy New Year. And it is cherished still. In this new book Paul White takes the carver through the process of carving a large traditional bald eagle. Beginning with the gluing of the boards and sculpting and ending with a helpful description of gold leafing, Paul explains each step in detail. For those who wish to get right to the carving he also explains the use of commercially prepared blanks. A measured drawing of the project is included, as well as a gallery of variations. A wonderful book for carvers of all abilities.

For the woodturner seeking projects that are a little more challenging, Dick Sing shares his techniques for creating awe-inspiring wooden ornaments and eggs. Step-by-step instructions and color photos guide you through the process of turning and hollowing out a globe for the incredibly light ornament, crafting a delicate "icicle" for the spindle -- even adding a captive ring for that special finishing touch. Dick provides helpful tips for selecting the appropriate woods, using your tools to their best advantage, and fashioning some new tools from surprisingly ordinary materials. Next he shows how to turn a wooden egg that will look like Mother Nature smiled upon it. One of nature's most perfect forms, the egg is also one of the most challenging, and Dick has spent many years perfecting his techniques for getting an egg to look like an egg. Here he outlines his methods for laying out the egg with a template, making a special chuck so you can finish both ends of the egg in the lathe, and using a homemade mandrel to create an egg that is also a kaleidoscope. Now you can attain eggs you are proud of! As a special bonus, Dick shows you how to recreate the jar he uses for his finish and how to use a wood burning pen to sign your completed projects.

After the great success of Santa and His Friends, Tom Wolfe presents a group of traditional Santas that have been found in American Art, literature, and advertising since the 1860s and have a warm place in the imaginations of children and the memories of adults. With easy to follow, step-by-step instructions accompanied by full color photos, this is a great book for the beginning and intermediate carver.

Once completed, these cheerful carved wooden figures of Santa and Mrs. Claus will keep you, your family, and your friends in the Christmas spirit all year long. With 270 detailed color photographs, concise, point-by-point instruction, and detailed patterns, Ken Blomquist takes the carver through every step required to successfully complete heirloom-quality figures of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Additional patterns and instructions are also provided for carving and fitting a closed or an opened bag full of gifts to throw over Santa's shoulder. Ken includes guidelines for creating a unique surface texture and hints for adding eye-catching details to every figure. Painting instructions are also supplied. These delightful projects are suitable for novice as well as more advanced carvers.

House spirits are magical creatures who watch over homes and families. They come in all manner of shapes and sizes. With a keen eye, house spirits can be found almost anywhere in the wood and timbers throughout the home. Tom Wolfe shows you how to coax them out of their hiding places with power tools. Five patterns are included. Tom provides step-by-step instructions with over 230 color photographs. One project is carved to completion and patterns for two other spirits are included. These projects are a great learning experience for the beginner picking up power tools for the first time. They present the more advanced carvers with plenty of opportunities to stretch their creativity. No carver will see wooden objects around the house in the same way again. These projects will challenge the beginner and will fascinate the more advanced power carver.

Tom Wolfe has been carving canes and walking sticks for almost twenty years. Among the hundreds that he has carved, no two are alike. Each one takes on its own spirit and personality. And each one shows the carver's creativity and skill. Tom introduced his readers to the carving of walking sticks in Tom Wolfe Carves Woodspirits and Walking Sticks. In response to the requests of readers he presents this book devoted to canes and walking sticks. Patterns for eleven figures are included with two of them carved step-by-step. The carver can follow the color photographs of each step, gleaning whatever additional information he or she may need from the concise caption. This is a fun book for all carvers, from the novice to the pro. It continues the long tradition of Tom's creativity.

Netsuke have once again come to the fore in the popular imagination of the public. In part this is due to the phenomenal success of Edmund De Waals 2010 book, Hare with the Amber Eyes, which highlights a treasured netsuke collection that was challenged by war and the vicissitudes of time. Intricately carved from various materials including ivory, wood and metal, these small toggles served a practical purpose in Japan: a netsuke was used to fasten a mans sash, an integral part of Japanese costume. Up until the seventeenth century netsuke were relatively insignificant objects that were rarely of artistic interest, but as time passed they evolved in terms of both materials and workmanship, and were then used by men to flaunt their wealth or as an expression of status. Today netsuke are considered an art form in their own right and are prized by collectors around the world. They are found in a variety of forms and depict a wide range of subjects including figures of human and legendary form, ghosts, animals, botanical subjects and masks. Skilfully worked, these miniature carvings are of great artistic value, but they also provide a window into Japanese culture and society. This book brings together one hundred of the most beautiful and interesting netsuke from the extensive collection of the British Museum, each of which has its own special charm and story to tell. Uncovering the stories behind these netsuke and coupling them with stunning new photography, this book reveals why these tiny objects have captivated so many, the meaning they have held for those who wore them, and what they can tell us about Japanese everyday life.

The premier work of author-carver Ron Ransom. He offers instructions for three specific versions of Santa Claus and many other variations, as well as painting instructions. Rons illustrations serve as an impetus for the carver to approach his own work with freedom. His Old World Santas are great symbols of happiness and goodness.

Al Streetman takes devoted readers and beginning carvers alike back to the wonderful world of folk carving, which leaves less to "the rules" and more to the imagination! In older days, folk art was a way of transforming plain everyday objects and materials into decorative accent pieces to brighten the home. Here are 20 patterns for bird and fish, with a simplicity that makes the carving process quick and enjoyable, and the final product charming and elegant. In full-color photography, Al guides the carver step-by-step though the carving of a bird and a catfish, providing not only careful instructions for carving but also for painting and presenting each piece. The basic patterns make either wonderful learning tools or a solid foundation for more intricate carvings.

Green men are figures or heads that were carved in churches, abbeys and cathedrals from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. Inspired by the illustrations in book margins where heads were used to terminate trails of foliage, they were usually carved in the form of human masks, cats' or demons' heads. The earliest architectural green men are found in the churches of the wealthy and influential, such as Henry I's private chapel in Derbyshire but they were still produced in lesser numbers into the nineteenth century. Richard Hayman discusses the origins and definitions of these fascinating figures and traces their many declines and revivals throughout history - a valuable guide for any church history enthusiast.

Here is a comprehensive look at the carving and painting techniques needed to create a beautiful and lifelike representation of the green-wing teal, one of the most colorful and easily distinguished of ducks. Master carver Jeffrey Moore starts with a preshaped, duplicated bird to simplify the rough carving process, then demonstrates the use of burning and high speed texturing equipment to achieve remarkable carving detail and realism. Detailed instructions accompany each color photograph, with variations in carving the hen and drake clearly shown and explained. Tips for carving the feathers, heads, and primaries, all easily accomplished by the average carver, are provided. Once the carving is completed, the book takes the reader through step by step airbrushing and brush painting techniques needed to complete each of the birds. Colors, painting tips, and finishing steps are all provided to help you achieve an elegant and wonderfully realistic teal.

From the formal carvings of the nineteenth century to the colorful and informal plastic and glass examples of molded relief jewelry, this revised and expanded guide is the perfect reference for those on a search for cameos. Fourteen new designs are included in vibrant detail, along with values and tips that will assist today's shopper with appropriate cameo choice befitting their tastes and styles. See shell, stone, plastic, ivory, lava, glass, plastics, and metal cameos used in jewelry and ornamental objects. They were produced by inspired artists in fine detail using old-world crafting and are displayed here in full color. An excellent pocket guide reference for collectors or anyone who appreciates the simplicity and beauty of cameo designs.

Share the excitement with renowned and talented carver Robert Neuenschwander, as you see a whimsical cowboy character bear come to life from a rough block of wood! These methods are not found in any other carving book and will prove to be enlightening to everyone from the pen-knife whittler to the professional carver. Included are over 300 detailed and easy-to-follow close-up color photos, showing blocking, carving, detailing, finishing, and a special section showing Robert's sharpening techniques. Also showcased are a gallery of photos and detailed patterns showing all eight members of the bear family (including holiday favorites, Santa Bear and Mrs. Claus), that everyone is sure to enjoy!

This book presents vintage, often whimsical, and one-of-a-kind wooden figurine carvings by ANRI, the world-renowned company founded in 1912 in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Among the more than 2,500 carvings featured are bottle stoppers, bottle openers and corkscrews, bar sets, calendars, letter openers, bookends, humidors, ashtrays, lighters, cigarette boxes, pipe rests, salt and pepper sets, pepper mills, napkin rings, timers, toothpick holders, brushes, salt and serving spoons, spoon and key racks, door knockers, and figurines, including monks and characters from novels by Charles Dickens. Collectors with a wide range of interests will be delighted with the amazing number of woodcarvings shown. This book will amuse and inspire today's woodcarvers and collectors, novices and experienced devotees alike.

From the Amish country in Pennsylvania, Ron Ransom has been inspired to create patterns and carvings of an Amish family. Six patterns, clear instructions, and color photos guide you in carving a family in traditional Amish dress. Out of respect for their preferences, Ron has left the faces blank. Reflecting the Amish lifestyle, Ron's tools, techniques and instructions are plain and simple. When the carvings are complete, painting and antiquing methods are demonstrated as well. A color photo gallery provides a last, close look at these charming basswood carvings. As with all of Ron Ransom's books, the projects presented here will engage the beginner and provide solid bases upon which advanced carvers may add their own creative touches.