Barry and I are fortunate we have a community of friends, family and artists who often drop things off at our place, remember us as they shop or wander and trawl, and who share gifts with us from their days.
Recently these two appeared in my life and my problem is I can't quite identify them. The first is a gorgeous thing.
That's all I can say - it is well-made, wooden with brass edging and numerical inscriptions, but I have no idea what it is or what it would be used for. It is about 20cm long and about 7cm wide. The numerical inscriptions are different on both sides, hmmmm.
I don't mind not knowing as I don't really plan to use it - I just enjoying having it around the studio. If anybody can help out - I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Secondly - not so gorgeous for many, but rather beautiful in an odd way - was this snakeskin. Don't you love it when you have friends who say "oh I found this great snakeskin, you'd love it!" And they're right.
My mother asked me today if I had to drape it on the studio wall where I had, so perhaps it might need moving. It was at that point I realised that maybe not everybody thinks it a lovely arty-piece to have hanging around! But I am intrigued by the texture. And I wonder how it might print?
In terms of identification, my only worry with this one is that I think it's from a brown snake - one of our most poisonous and aggressive ones. At least our friend didn't find it at our place!
Recently these two appeared in my life and my problem is I can't quite identify them. The first is a gorgeous thing.
That's all I can say - it is well-made, wooden with brass edging and numerical inscriptions, but I have no idea what it is or what it would be used for. It is about 20cm long and about 7cm wide. The numerical inscriptions are different on both sides, hmmmm.
Secondly - not so gorgeous for many, but rather beautiful in an odd way - was this snakeskin. Don't you love it when you have friends who say "oh I found this great snakeskin, you'd love it!" And they're right.
My mother asked me today if I had to drape it on the studio wall where I had, so perhaps it might need moving. It was at that point I realised that maybe not everybody thinks it a lovely arty-piece to have hanging around! But I am intrigued by the texture. And I wonder how it might print?
In terms of identification, my only worry with this one is that I think it's from a brown snake - one of our most poisonous and aggressive ones. At least our friend didn't find it at our place!
Looks like a butter pat but can't be with the numbers on it, so don't know.
ReplyDeleteIts' definitely the shape of a butter pat Penny, but the numbers must mean something mustn't they?!? Hmmmm
DeleteI never seen something like it, but it looks to me like it could be used to measure the width and length of something that comes to rest at the metal stop near the handle. Different numbers on front an back might indicate different measure units like cm and inches?
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilke - I am going to have a closer look at how the brass end could be used when measuring something, and I agree re the different units but I need to investigate more to see if they size they are on the object relate to cm or inches in any way -it's quite fascinating!
DeleteThe snake skin is beautiful. I can see why you have it in the studio. But perhaps that's easy to say when I come from a climate where you don't tend to find many.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful Jac - and even tho I know to fear these ones, I can still see the beauty in it. I am still thinking of printing...
DeleteThat snake skin is really quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt surely is Maya - the exquisite detail, the almost translucent nature of it...
DeleteI remember as a young girl finding baling wire in the gutter with stones embedded in it and I dragged it home and hung it on the wall of my bedroom... it did not go over well with Mum.. :)
ReplyDeletehow funny Cat! I think artistic kids would alway see 'beautiful' things that others couldn't quite see! Now you can just hang bailing wire and stones where ever you like...
DeleteIs the board for something like shove ha'penny - a pub game? I know that that game has only lateral marks, but the brass stop seems to indicate something like that. And it could hang up behind the bar - ? It is a beauty, certainly, as is your snake skin.
ReplyDeleteI does look a little bit like the paddle they toss coins on in what we call "two-up", a pub game only allowed to be played on ANZAC Day here. THere's no way to hang it properly tho so I am thinking maybe something else. But isn't it a wonderful wee thing!
DeleteMy guess is that the wooden batten is to accurately measure the width of a metal accurately.Readings to the left give the basic measurement to which is added the figure gained at the diagonal intersection.
ReplyDeleteThanks John I am going to have to go and take better photographs of it I think to look in detail at the measurements. Do you think it might measure the gauge of metal? I will investigate that option - thanks!
DeleteGreat gifts, Fiona! The "butter pat"" is very interesting. I've never seen anything like it either but someone out there must know. A good addition to your studio, regardless. The snake skin is beautiful and I quite understand why you would drape it on the wall. As would I, except that my cleaner would never enter my house if I did. She won't clean the IKEA cabinet that contains my snakes in bottles and skins. I hope you try printing with it, that would be a lovely image.
ReplyDeleteMy mum really did wonder what on earth I was doing and why I would have it on the wall! I actually find it better than having them in drawers - I always scare myself when I open a drawer without thinking and glimpse a snake skin! Printing is still very much on my mind...go well.
DeleteFiona, I have no idea what that wooden thing is for but, like you, it matters not. Just to be able to see and touch such a tactile thing would be joy enough. I'd almost prefer not to know just in case it changed my view of it! As for that snakeskin... not knowing the brown snake I can't quite get a handle on the scale of it (no pun intended) What about using some of it in a collagraph and intaglio inking it? I'd be fascinated to see what sort of texture or pattern it produced. Such diverse gifts but great things to have.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think just accepting something is beautiful is all you need to do - but my interest is just a little bit piqued at the moment. Altho you rightly point out that I could be horrified if I discover it has some sinister purpose...
DeleteThe skin is about 50cm long I think, and I really am going to get down and ink it soon I can tell! Go well.
People bring me all kinds of strange things, especially if its from nature. One day I walked into the studio where I teach and there was a turkey wing sitting on my desk. I loved it, but a few of my students were horrified!! (I didn't tell them about the box of deer skulls a friend had sent me, all collected from the land during a scientific study) And that paddle thing - a beautiful mystery!
ReplyDeleteSome people just understand that somebody else will enjoy their gift - that we'll appreciate the offering. Your collection sounds intriguing! - go well.
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