Bone and Wooden carving
Bone carving
Bone carving is the act of creating art forms by carving into animal bones. It can result in the ornamentation of a bone, or the creation of a figure. It has been practiced by a variety of world cultures, including the Māori Queen of New Zealand.
The chain of life gets finished when we are no longer part of it. Death is an unavoidable step and, from all vertebrates, the only triumphant witnesses left are their bones. Since the beginning of time bone has being used as tool, amulet, adornment, toy, oracle or simply as part of life, bone has been a successively companion in man’s evolutive journey.
From the American Continent to the Polynesian passing through Europe and Asia, the vital presence of this element gains new meanings since to get it the only two things needed are patience and time to clean it and give it the wished shape. In this framework we find all the catalogued pieces, specially influenced by the Polynesian bone carving conception.
For the native inhabitants of the islands that form today’s New Zealand -Aotearoa - and that are called Māori, the words bone and Nation (with all its intrinsic representations) are the same: Iwi. We are today thanks to those who were before us, we are flesh thanks to our yesterday bones and we are in this life to learn and be our tomorrow descendants´ bones.
A hook hanging in a chest in addition if being a tool used to get food, for those who are in the sea is determination and protection. The plaited chisel, more than a fundamental tool to build other tools, represents leadership and an important tribal function to the wearer. Among many materials bone is chosen for its ability to hold the essential oils of the owner, charging itself from the vital energy thus making work the strength of this object.
With this nature each piece is carved seeking the idea of transcend time through shape and content to transform a simple object into a live witness within this constant renewing cycle.
Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of Sperm Whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses. It takes the form of elaborate carvings in the form of pictures and lettering on the surface of the bone or tooth, with the engravings highlighted using a pigment, or small sculptures made from the same material. The making of scrimshaw began on whaling ships between 1817 to 1824 on the Pacific Ocean, and survived until the ban on commercial whaling. The practice survives as a hobby and as a trade for commercial artisans. A maker of scrimshaw is known as a scrims hander. Scrimshaw is also a surname.
Wood carving
Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool held in the hand (this may be a power tool), resulting in a wooden figure or figurine (this may be abstract in nature) or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The phrase may also refer to the finished product, from individual sculptures, to hand-worked moldings composing part of a tracery.
A wood carver commences a carving by choosing a block of wood the fairly accurate size and shape of the figure he needs to create. The type of wood is essential. Hardwoods are more difficult to shape but have greater luster and longevity. Softer woods may be easier to carve, but are less resistant to damage. Once the sculptor has chosen his wood, he starts a common shaping process using gouges of different sizes.
After completion of the general shape, the carver may use a variety of tools for creating details. After the carving and polishing is completed, the artist may color the wood with a multiplicity of natural stains, such as walnut or linseed oil. He may also apply a final coat a varnish, a resin-based sealer that will protect the surface and give it a shiny appearance. Objects made of wood are frequently coated with a layer of wax, which protects the finish and enhances the shine.