ORNAMENTAL WOODCARVING | How to Carve a Family Crest in Wood | Carving a Family Coat of Arms

The carving of a family Coat of Arms in limewood, the different steps

Patrick Damiaens, Ornamental Woodcarver

First I made a drawing of the Family coat of Arms.

The customer provides me an example of the crest ( which can be a drawing, painting,... his signet ring.) The supplied information shall serve for making a work -carve drawing . The drawing with the correct outlines and necessary details. This Coat of arms was approved by the Flemish Heraldic College of VVF.

The proper drawing is redrawn on tracing paper and  secured by thumb nails on the wood. The drawing is made by means of carbon paper and by a pen is applied to the wood. The contours of the weapon are now on the limewood.

With a band saw or jigsaw we cut out the contours of the coat of arms.

 The cut out sections are now glued on a plate (MDF). This method of fastening ensures us that the coat of arms will be in a stable position on the workbench . The newspaper between plate and wood will later serve for an easy separation.

The actual carving can begin. This stage is called modeling. Many years of studies and full-time experience are crucial.

Now comes the importance of the correctly sawing forward. Due to the modeling  the original drawings will disappear. In this stage, the drawing will  be placed  back on the crude forms of the coat of arms by using a marker or pencil.

This is the most important stage of the arms. The ornaments, heraldic details and carving gets its proper height. Insight into the depths and the relief of the ornament, and knowledge of the maximum depth of an ornament are from great importance, as well as routine and experience in this art form. The use of plaster models and images can also be very helpful in this stage.

The piece of the crest is finished and will be removed from the plate, the backside will now carved. This process is repeated each time with each individual part of the family crest.

The actual coat of arms is cut now and also the text on a ribbon (Deus nobiscum) 'God with us'

These separate sections are merged into a coat of arms and held together by a metal frame so that stability is ensured.

 
Shown below are some other family coat of arms and crests
which have been made by us.

________________________________

______________________________

__________________________

 For more information and without engagement:

WEBSITE Patrick Damiaens

Patrick Damiaens

On Youtube

CARVING A MUSICAL TROPHY | Trophy shield carvings for paneling | Carved hunting trophies for wall-paneling

PATRICK DAMIAENS

Ornamental Woodcarver

Carved hunting and Musical trophies for wall-paneling and interior decoration

It was customary among the Greeks to hang the left behind weapons of  the defeated or fleeing enemy on the trees of the battlefield. These signs of victory or trophies have earned their place in the decoration of furniture and interiors throughout the centuries.

The Romans erected and built symbolic buildings and monuments of stone and bronze in the form of columns, pillars, arches and other architectural structures .  These were decorated and ornated.

Since then, trophies are not only used in the decoration of these war memorials and victory monuments, but are increasingly used in the elegant decoration of buildings, castles, churches, wall-paneling or as tasteful decorations for the interior.

Hunting Trophy, carved in oak , chimney-piece

Later it was therefore quite normal that hunting gear  were used in these trophies because they clearly resemble weapons of war.

Symbolism

By grouping the tools and instruments trophies can radiate a certain symbolism.  Like war and the hunt there are also of the Arts, such as

music, architecture, painting or astronomy, science, ...  For of all these themes it is possible to make a special trophy.

Carved hunting trophies

Singing is for example represented by the winch and this with or without partitures.  Music by flutes, horns, flute, violin ...  Dancing by a tambourine and castanets.  Acting is represented through a mask and painting by a palette and brushes.  The carving of stone and wood, by a hammer and chisels.  These themes were incorporated into each individual trophy.

A Bathroom trophy

Garden Theme Trophy

The arts, crafts  and businesses  have chosen their own symbols  of their profession or art.  By these symbols you recognize their craft or art.  Later we see companies and associations display their products or services in their own trophy.

 trophy of musical instruments


Trophy -Carving by Patrick Damiaens

https://www.patrickdamiaens.info