Friday 29 October 2010

Architectural Elements

To contribute to Raz's Architectural Elements photo challenge, I rooted through some of my old photos, trying to see if I had any of the work to the Theatre Royal, Bath, from years ago (about 25 years or more ago?). I couldn't find any, but I found some on the net (which included little old me!!!), and most were on the website of fellow carver, Lawrence Tindall, and here they are, ripped off from Lawrence without his permission.


That's me on the left. You can see how long ago the photo was taken from the colour of my hair - almost black. Lawrence is on the right, and we are both carving replacement lyres (not 'lyers' as you have spelt it, Lawrence) which go either side of the huge coat of arms below. We are doing it on site, in the old tradition.


This facade is now on the side of the main entrance, but - in the early 19th century - it was the front entrance, and had a sweeping drive for carriages to drop off the gentry. I restored a fair bit of the British coat of arms, and I modeled the two tails and the unicorn's horn, which Lawrence and me cast in aluminium - we had built a small foundry in my workshop at the time, so we were able to cast metals, although I think this was the only commercial job we did.

We got to meet a lot of theatrical stars whilst we were there - or rather, they met us, as our ladders went right past the dressing-room windows. The stories I could tell ...

18 comments:

  1. You do take photos of every job you do now in the digital age?

    ReplyDelete
  2. What fascinatels me most about stone-carving is the way you imbue warmth (life) into cold hard stone. That coat of arms is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mostly, Olive, but actually less than I used to when it was all 35 mm, for some reason.

    It's a facinateling process, eh J? Bath stone does tend to go honey-coloured with oxidization and pollution. Before they banned coal-fires in town, ALL the stonework was a deep, matt black. I spent many years cleaning it all off.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What fascinatles me most is why I ever gave it up. It's a fabulous process. Was it Rodin who said 'Everything's in there, you've just got to uncover it'.

    ReplyDelete
  5. jelust as facinateling as telyping!
    Sorry...not enough caffeine this morning, obviously.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm impressed. Had no idea this was in your bio. Guess I need to go back through your archives.

    How wonderful to create something that will remain beyond our years here.

    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great post! I'm glad you found these photos. The work is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Charlotte and Suzan. I really ought to stop these selective posts about my work now, as they seems to be attracting a sick-making quantity of compliments. Although this was my intention, it's probably about time I showed some of the shitty stuff I have done in the past too (there's lots of it) just for the sake of balance.

    What a good idea. I'll try to dig out some of the least successful stuff I have been responsible, but... there again,,,

    I've fallen a bit ill with a cold since last night, so I might leave it until I'm feeling a bit stronger.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Balance? Who needs balance? I'm with Z - your work, unlike that of so many others, will be around for quite some time. Ann

    ReplyDelete
  10. You could say even more fascinateling if you was inclined.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another good idea Moll - howzabouta post called "Fascinatitilation"?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Q: How do you titillate an ocelot?

    A: Ocilate it's tit a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope you feel better Tom. Once again, beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you Amy. I feel bloody wretched this morning and I hope I'm better tomorrow - I've got to go to a dedication service in a church where I restored some wall monuments! Halloween too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I almost became a colonoscopist, Kit...

    ReplyDelete
  16. I used to work for a colonoscopist....a interesting business, although not as creative as yours.

    At the risk of giving you too many compliments in one post, I do find this fascinating and think your are very skilled. I think it is wonderful that your craft will be admired for hundreds more years.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you Raz. Speaking (as I know you were) as one who used to hold peoples butt-cheeks apart for doctors, this is a real compliment.

    ReplyDelete