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Pieces Inspired by Ancient and Modern Pottery
Rhodian Amphorae
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Rhodes was
one of the first islands in the Aegean to cultivate the wine
grape. By the 4th century B.C. amphorae from Rhodes had become
standardized clay vessels, with a creamy surface, pointed tip,
simple rim and acute-angled handles. These became the standard
container for shipping wine throughout the eastern
Mediterranean. Rhodian Amphorae were also all marked with a pair
of stamps
which were an endorsement by a licensed manufacturer and the name of an annually appointed official. That provided
proof that the amphora came from a Rhodian workshop and its
contents from a Rhodian vineyard. Many centuries later the
French adopted the practice, which became known as "Appellation
Controllée" and has been adopted internationally as a way to
verify both the point of origin and quality of products ever
since.
319 pieces of maple, with a walnut stand. The vessel
size is 11" tall x 6" dia...1/3 the size of the originals.
Finish Danish Oil, waxed and buffed. Most of
my segmented vessels include a feature ring, or contrasting woods
for the base or rim. For this one I wanted to stay true to the
original inspiration, and not
use any decoration at all. In other words, let the shape and
color of the
vessel speak for itself.
The handles were made using Jerry Bennett's armature technique.
The stand ring is segmented, but includes four thin rings, brick
laid together for strength. The legs are bent lamination, glued
up from four thin layers as well.
January 2011
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Skyphos #1
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Skyphos #1
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Skyphos #1
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| A Corinthian Skyphos inspired the shape and
decoration for all three. (ca. 740 – 730 BC, Louvre, Department
of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities.) A skyphos
(plural skyphoi) is a two-handled deep wine-cup on a low flanged
base or none. The handles are typically horizontal ear-shaped
thumb holds that project from the rim (in both Corinthian and
Athenian shapes).
Each of the three is 6" dia x about 5" tall. Each is
finished Danish oil, then waxed and buffed. Skyphos #1 is made
the walnut/maple. Skypos #2 is cherry and maple. Skyphos #3 is
sapele (a type of mahogany) and maple.
December 2009
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Panatenaic
Amphorae
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 An
ancient Greek Panatenaic Amphorae inspired this vessel.
Panatenaic Amphorae were large ceramic vessels that contained
olive oil and were given as prizes in the Panathenaic Games,
held every four years.
14" tall x 10" dia Cherry with maple and walnut feature rings.
Finished with Danish oil and then buffed. The central feature
ring was inspired by Malcolm Tibbetts piece "For the Boy King”.
This piece won first place in the Bedford Community Arts Council
show in 2009.
February 2009 |
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Kylix |
 A
kylix is a type of ancient Greek wine drinking cup with a broad relatively shallow body raised on a stem
from a foot. The word comes from the
Greek kylix "cup," which is cognate with Latin
calix, the source of the English word "chalice".
Because the primary use for the kylix was at a symposium - a
"drinking party" - in the ancient Greek world, they are often
decorated with scenes of a humorous, light-hearted, or sexual
nature that would only become visible when the cup was drained.
7" dia x 5" tall. Maple and walnut. December 2010
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Whisky Jug Cookie
Jars |
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These are a whimsical effort to make something for the kitchen.
The one on the left, is 10" tall x 6" dia. The lid and
handle are black walnut, with a box elder "cork". The base of
the jug is soft maple. Shellac sanding sealer, and a couple
coats of satin wipe on poly, then buffed. Winner of March
2010 MI-OH Woodturners President's Challenge
The one on the
right, is a miniature. 2.25 inches tall. Maple with walnut
lid and cherry cork. Shellac sanding sealer then buffed.
The miniature was submitted as part of a collaborative entry by
the Segmented Woodturners AAW Chapter for the 2011 Symposium in
St. Paul, MN. The completed entry can be seen
HERE.
Both were displayed in the Instant Gallery at the Fall
2010 Segmenting Symposium at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
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Website content and photos
© by Dick Sowa
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