In the
May/June 2013 issue of HolzWerken an intriguing article was published
concerning my activities as a woodcarver – ornamental carver.
Since
many years, this thematic German magazine for ambitious woodworkers has been a
national and international source of inspiration for many.
Comprehensive articles
on crafting techniques for furniture, tips on woodturning and reports on
creative, traditional workshops are topics which are covered monthly.
I’m not
very photogenic, yet the editors at Holzwerken thought differently. As it
happens, they put me on the cover of the magazine, which is an honour and a
privilege.
This is
already the third time this honor has befallen me. The first time, in 1996, I
ended up on the cover of the Swiss Magazine the ‘Schweizerische Schreiner
Zeitung’. More recently, in 2012, I ‘graced’ the cover of the Belgian ‘Z.O. Magazine’.
I have
to say, I was relieved that I ended up on the cover and not on the
centerfold. That wouldn’t have been a pretty sight ;)
Patrick Damiaens Ornamental Woodcarver- Architectural Woodcarving
Ornamental carving for a staircase
The Rococo
staircase
In the
Rococo style the elegantly crafted balusters were the eye-catcher of the staircase.
Thanks to the spiral form of the stairs, the slightly curved bottom of the
balusters flow smoothly into the stringer. Most of the time the bottom of the
main baluster is formed by an open “rocaille”-motive. These motives or carvings,
formed in the shape of a shell, went particularly well together with acanthus
leaves and flowers.
Cabinetmakers
working in the Rococo style originally had a preference for openly sculptured balusters.
However, in today’s implementations of the classic Rococo staircase people often
choose for sober banisters manufactured with a turning lathe, not only because it
is cheaper but it also leaves a less heavy impression.
Nevertheless,
the moderation of banisters is not just something that can be found in modern
craftsmanship. The banisters in Louis XIV for example are, in contrast with
these in the Rococo style, very strictly styled and sober. With its more
moderated approach classicism remade the flaunting Rococo staircase to a more
sober but still elegant piece of furniture.
But I stick
with it, if one wishes an elegant staircase in the Rococo style (and if one has
the space for it), open cravings give your staircase a beautiful an unique
look.
Carved staircase parts
In Belgium, the finest examples of craftsmanship in
the Rococo style (± 1750) can be found in the ‘Hotel van den Meersche’ in Ghent and in the town hall of Lier.
With Rococo style motifs "After the French Manner"
1)A
rough version of the sculpture or carving is drawn on the wood with crayon.
2)We
put down the proper lines and forms of the ornaments on the baluster with a
pencil.
3)We
saw out the baluster.
4)With
a router we prepair the different levels in the wood
5)The
carving can actually begin.
carved staircase parts, detail
Plaster models can be helpful when making
individual ornaments.
Rococo ornament surrounded by shell-like "rocailles", leaves and C-scrolls.
Personal project (in the Netherlands)
The
baluster sculptured by myself was not made to fit a new but an existing
staircase in a house built in around 1930. Several rooms including the hallway
where the staircase is located, needed renovation. With this face lift the
owners wanted to give their house a unique character. By providing the existing
staircase with classic Rococo woodcarving, the room got a more elaborated look.
It is
however very difficult to respect existing situations and to meet the wishes of
the costumer at the same time. So it is always a challenge to keep the harmony in
a room.
Carved Newel post
Every design and every application of carving is unique
and will never be remade in the exact same way.
One of my specialties is the carving of Heraldic family coat of arms in wood.
To carve a family coat of arms in wood is a bit of a personal challenge for me.
Heraldry is a most interesting subject and I always look forward to taking on new
assignments involving heraldic arms.
You learn about interesting people that captivate the imagination, all of whom
have their own fascinating life story or family history. And for me personally
it’s always nice to hear that my craftsmanship and quality are greatly
appreciated.
Every heraldic coat of arms is different. Most of the time, it starts with an
example that serves as a source of inspiration in the form of a drawing, an old
sketch or some photographic material delivered to me by the client.
In some cases it occurs that the design for the family coat of arms is not
entirely suited as the blueprint for the carving of it in wood.
This might be
due to the fact that the design is in a format which is a lot smaller than what
the client had in mind (e.g. a large heraldic panel), in which case the family
coat of arms has to be redesigned. If one were to simply enlarge the small
design, the proportions or the composition of the design would be distorted.
Usually
things have to be added to the composition in order to make better use of the
available space. It might also be that there is no logic to how the mantling
was arranged, and it’s entirely possible that the design was never meant to be
carried out in wood. After all, wood has its limitations.
It is equally important that the relief fits the dimensions of the coat of arms.
We always try to resolve these small and sometimes larger issues together with
the client.
The Six family is originally a northern French family
whose descendants settled in Amsterdam around 1586. the latter was the father
of the Dutch lineage whose members in 1815 and 1841 were included in the Dutch
nobility.
The proven lineage begins with Guillaume Six, cloth dyer in Armentieres and
Lille (France). His son Charles, who lived in Saint-Omer settled after the fall
of Antwerp in 1586 in Amsterdam. Also there was the family active in the cloth
and silk weaving. In the 17th century the family became one of the most
important families of Amsterdam and are supplied the city many administrators
and mayors
The family distinguishes two family branches Oterleek and Hillegom, both
descended from Charles Six and named after the properties which came
later into possession of the family. In 1815, Mr.. Cornelis Charles Six
of Oterleek raised in the Dutch nobility, and he became in 1820 the title of
baron by birthright granted. In 1841, Mr.. Henry Six, of Hillegom, enlisted in
the Dutch nobility.
Several
family members were painted by Rembrandt. The name Six is an abbreviation of
Sixtus, a name given to the sixth child of a family.
Jan SIX painted by Rembrandt (1654)
The SIX Collection, Amsterdam Family Belongings, including family portraits, archive,
art, furniture and antiques have been placed in the Six Collection
(Amsterdam).
First we create
a detail drawing of the family coat of arms. The source of inspiration was an
old etching from the 19th century. Over the next few weeks, this
drawing/blueprint will serve as a reference for carving the heraldic weapon in
wood.(oak)
The drawing is redrawn on carbon paperandby a penis applied to thewood. (oak)
A router is used
to remove the wood around the drawing. A relief of 1.2 cm is created to carve
the heraldic coat of arms in (bas-relief).
The actualcarvingcan begin.
This stageis calledmodeling. Many years ofstudies andfull-timeexperienceare crucial.
Carving a family Coat of Arms
Because
of the modeling, the original drawing disappears. During
this stage, the drawing is reapplied on the rough shapes of the coat of arms
with the help of a marker or a pencil.
SIX Family Coat of Arms, Carved in wood , Amsterdam
Theornaments, heraldicdetails andcarvinggets itsproper height.Insight intothe depthsand the reliefof the ornament,and knowledge of themaximum depthof an ornamentare from greatimportance, as well asroutine andexperience in thisart form.The useofplaster modelsand imagescanalso be very helpfulin this stage.
Family Crest in wood
Coat
of ArmsSix: inbluetwoWassenaar, Dutch forenlarging of the Moon, accompaniedwith astar,allof them silver
Wassenaar =The enlargingmoon orcrescent isthe
moonshortly afternew moon.Wassenaar :the wordmeans'increase'. Fromthe northern hemisphere, istheilluminatedcrescent
moonon the right sideofthemoon.
Helmet partly steadily
at. Torse: silver and blue. Crest: the star of the shield.
Manteling: silver and
blue. Supporters: Left a silver horse, right beholding lion of natural color, red
tongue, both on a brown tournament lance, a banner under the shield, with
silver fringe and cords.
Arms Motto: STELLA DUCE (the star directed to Christ) in black letters on a white
ribbon.
