Henry II

Sam - Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 12:18pm

Hi everybody,
Not sure if this is interesting stuff to you all or not. Here is my reproduction of a 16th century shield made for King Henry II of France. It is thought to be based on designs from French artist Etienne Delaune.
It has great depth for an iron relief and shows fluidity of motion. It is one of my favorite pieces.

Thanks for looking
SamParade shield of King Henry II France 1555Parade shield of King Henry II France 1555

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Of course it's interesting!

Paula - Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 3:31pm

Of course it's interesting! One can only wish to get that good
Paula
Guthrie, MN

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Thanks Paula, I know,

Sam - Monday, October 20, 2008 - 6:11pm

Thanks Paula,
I know, something to aspire to. I collect and reproduce these sheilds because the artistry is mind boggling.
Seems like there have only been a few people in history capable of such work. I think some of the problem at least in the U.S is the lack of apprenticeship programs like they have in say, Italy or France. There were generations of artists passing down (Secret) knowledge.
Anyhoo, thanks for the response, your work is very inspiring as well, Top Notch! I trust you and your hubby will do well going full time.
Sam

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Sam Thanks for the

Paula - Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - 5:54pm

Sam
Thanks for the compliment....just keep it coming....the history lessons that is......... ;)
Paula
Guthrie, MN

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Of course it's interesting

Rick Crawford - Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 4:19pm

Yes it is quite interesting, and beautiful. What a work of art.

SmokyRick
Rick Crawford at Smoky Forge

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Thanks for the response

Sam - Monday, October 20, 2008 - 6:12pm

Thanks for the response Rick! I love this stuff as well. I could live and die in a Museum and be happy :-)

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Hi Sam, What metal are you

Fred Zweig - Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 7:27pm

Hi Sam,

What metal are you using to make this reproduction? Is this piece in iron? Are you repousseing and chasing the design? This is wonderful work and whatever method you are using it is incredible. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Best,
Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

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Hi Fred, Thanks for the nice

Sam - Monday, October 20, 2008 - 6:16pm

Hi Fred,
Thanks for the nice comments. The original was Iron repousse and took several years to produce. I can't imagine the skill needed to pull off an orignal like this. I have been working with wax like this and they are hard enough!

This is a copper and nickel reproduction. I work pretty hard on the finish and patina. They end up looking as close to a Museum piece as possible.

Sam

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Henry II

visitor - Monday, October 20, 2008 - 8:06am

Nice work Sam...I was a bit comfused as I didn't recall France as having a line of Henry monarchs as it was Henry V of England at the Battle of Agincourt that Shakespear imortalized. This occured much earlier (1415) however. Judging how intricute the design is armourors of that day were quite accomplished. Henry II would have loved having you in his court. (Nestrocq)
gimperfi please forgive my atrocious spelling!

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Hi Sam, it is taught in the

Lawrence Parramore - Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - 5:19am

Hi Sam,

it is taught in the UK for sure and I am sure in France and Italy too, but now little of it will reach public attention, I am sure there will be people on this site capable of this work, but who will pay?

This is why Elkington employed Léonard Morel-Ladeuil to make one piece and then they could copy it infinite um.

There are people who will have such work commissioned mostly in 18ct and it will end up in a palace somewhere on the gulf where very few will ever see it.

I have seen doors etc covered with such work, but the best chance most have in the UK of seeing such work would be at the Goldsmiths hall when they have their annual exhibition, on one memorable occasion I remember a safe made from clear quarts crystal, very high end!

It is an old fashioned art form, there will be modern derivatives for sure but the old style is not in vogue.

All the best

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