Friday 16 April 2021

The True Cross


I am gradually whittling it away. What began as 8.5 cwt is now a mere quarter of a ton.


With things that go through a cylindrical stage,  you have to find the centre - on both sides - otherwise the finished article ends up what we in the profession call 'wonky'. The outer circle marks the widest that the leaves of the pineapple protrude, and the inner one is the only flat bit of the whole thing.

Look at the compasses/dividers. They are Georgian and still in regular use. I have and use many tools which are over 250 years old. Nothing much changes in the world of stone (aside from power tools), which is one reason why there is more mystique attached to the business than carpenters can dream of. 

Also there is a perceived permanence to stone going back thousands of years, whereas all that remains of Woodhenge is a row of holes.

How many pieces of the True Cross exist,  I wonder?

32 comments:

  1. Seahenge in Norfolk would still be there if they had left it in situ. Instead some bright sparks decided to remove it and put it in a museum. It was bronze age timber and preserved by the sea. But I take your point. I like the dividers and how you've marked it out. I was guessing the other day that you would quarter it.

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    1. Oak becomes harder and harder under sea water, until it is like iron. Now that Seahenge it open to the air it will be a conservation problem for evermore.

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    2. Sea Henge inspired a series of books I enjoy reading about Dr Ruth Galloway, archaeologist. the first and relevant to the Henge is Crossing Places, author Elly Griffiths

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  2. Gosh how you make these items I have no idea this looks absolutely fascinating. I would love to see more things like this. How long does it take to just take that slice off?

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    1. About 20 minutes of continuous sawing, or 1 with a big diamond blade machine saw.

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  3. I can’t believe that you actually managed to get through that thing! It’s like a big slice of stone cheese. Now starts the artistry. I would never be able to make a pineapple out of anything, much less stone.

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    1. You draw a line, then you cut it away. Repeat process many times over a period of days. It is all worked out well in advance of the cutting.

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  4. I would really like to see more pictures of the rest of the process. We have a pineapple here, but it is just concrete. -Jenn

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    1. I'll show more if you want me to. Even that concrete one was once made by someone.

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  5. Or waas there a 'true cross' I wonder.

    Do keep showing what you are doing Tom - I find it fascinating.

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    1. I heard someone say the other day that their piece of 'the true cross' was authentic because it had once touched a piece of the real true cross. They are mad.

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    2. The whole story is mad. That doesn’t stop people believing it.

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  6. Take enough pictures and you could make a time-lapse video.

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    1. Or I could just take a video. How boring would that be? About as boring as it is for me.

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  7. Oh yes, more pictures please. This fascinating.

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    1. The fascination wears off after a few years, I can tell you.

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  8. You’re a clever old thing ! I LOVE the compasses/dividers. ... just think who have used them in the past and now you. XXXX

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    1. No, I am just an old thing. I wonder about those who came before a lot.

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  9. I will join with everyone else in saying I would love to see more of the process.

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  10. The pineapple exterior is very intricate. I also would like to see how the master artisan (TS) creates pineapple finial from stone. Besides doing custom commissioned work, do you have a studio filled with lovely stone pieces on display (for sale)?

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    1. I am making a copy of one which already exists and is in my workshop. No to the last question. I only make things when people ask me to.

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  11. The stone is a very nice colour and I'm looking forward to the time-lapse progression to faux edible! You lost some tools recently, from memory - were they old ones? Your compass is something I'd covet.

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    1. All the tools stolen from me were electrical power tools. about £500 worth. It has taken me over 40 years to accumulate all the hand tools, and most of them are - thankfully - unsellable in a pub and also irreplaceable.

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  12. I have my father's compass. I'm under the impression he hand carved the interior that holds the compass. It's covered in green felt. The box latches shut and is covered in chamois, which is wearing away. Not near the size of yours, he was a draughtsman. I used the compass some times, for geometry. Long time ago.

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    1. Yes, those old draughtsman's dividers always came in solid wooden boxes lined with green beize. I have one pair which are 18th century.

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  13. You see....I am not the only one to want to see the pineapple being created! Thanks for the first photo.

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    1. So it seems! I only ever wanted to see it done when I couldn't do it myself. Now I find it boring.

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  14. Fascinating Tom. I really enjoy seeing a true craftsman at work.

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    1. I enjoy watching people work far more than working myself. Sadly I no longer have a glamorous assistant.

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