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Dragonfly Fugue -
A river worn pebble, hand formed by hammering from a thin sheet of steel and patinated to a glossy mix of deep brown tones. The dragonfly is inlaid in shakudo and gold with translucent golden, mother of pearl wings and black pearl eyes. The underside reveals a riverside view of grasses in ochre coloured brass and golden orchids edged with a pure silver stream.
A river worn pebble, hand formed by hammering from a thin sheet of steel and patinated to a glossy mix of deep brown tones. The dragonfly is inlaid in shakudo and gold with translucent golden, mother of pearl wings and black pearl eyes. The underside reveals a riverside view of grasses in ochre coloured brass and golden orchids edged with a pure silver stream.
Butterfly Gavotte vase -
A small hand raised copper vase with a rich, terracotta patina on a subtle stone textured ground. Decorated with a flowering magnolia branch, the blossoms are carved from white mother of pearl. A butterfly, inlaid and carved from various metals, compliments the composition. The base has been fire gilded with Japanese green gold.
A small hand raised copper vase with a rich, terracotta patina on a subtle stone textured ground. Decorated with a flowering magnolia branch, the blossoms are carved from white mother of pearl. A butterfly, inlaid and carved from various metals, compliments the composition. The base has been fire gilded with Japanese green gold.
Ginko Vortex Kagamibuta Netsuke - Sold
The bowl of this, somewhat avant garde, kagamibuta netsuke is subtly formed from pure copper and retains an apparently organic texture which is further enhanced by a deep mahogany red patina. The 3 ginko leaves are individually carved from pure silver and are delicately articulated with minutely carved veining. The edges of the leaves are further detailed with fire gilding in pure gold and the silver has been patinated in irridesant tones of purple and blue.
The bowl of this, somewhat avant garde, kagamibuta netsuke is subtly formed from pure copper and retains an apparently organic texture which is further enhanced by a deep mahogany red patina. The 3 ginko leaves are individually carved from pure silver and are delicately articulated with minutely carved veining. The edges of the leaves are further detailed with fire gilding in pure gold and the silver has been patinated in irridesant tones of purple and blue.
This is the index page of the work I'm show casing on this website. If you click on any of the thumbnail images you'll be redirected to a gallery of images of that particular piece. There, you can click on individual images to view them as larger pictures.
Should you have any questions about the work or would like to add one to your own collection please write to us by email via the "contact" page.
Should you have any questions about the work or would like to add one to your own collection please write to us by email via the "contact" page.
Dragonfly Wave Kagamibuta Netsuke - Sold
With this, Ford’s latest kagamibuta netsuke, he takes the format further away from the usual turned wooden or ivory bowl. The lid and bowl in this instance, being conceived as a single river worn pebble, the sort you’d skim over the surface of the water…much like the way dragonflies flit over bodies of water too.
The “pebble” is hand raised, by delicate hammering, from a thin sheet of steel. On the front, the surface has been sensitively worked to create an almost sensual, leather-like skin which serves as a perfect ground for the subject matter.
The dragonfly is inlaid and carved in high relief. It’s made up of pure silver wings and a shibuichi (an alloy of copper and silver) body with a pattern inlaid in pure gold. The shibuichi has attained a rare, olive green patina that’s a convincingly natural colour for the insect and one that complements the moist, deep brown tones of the steel wonderfully.
The most striking aspect to this composition must be the wings. The artist has managed to convey everything we associate with these incredible structures by means of a breathtaking display of virtuoso chiselling. The characteristic veining, abstracted and reduced to it’s essence combine with the iridescent lustre colours of purple, blue and green to produce a truly magical expression in metal.
Inside the bowl, carved in intaglio, is a second dragonfly, this one appearing to fly away from the viewer. The reverse of the pebble is a study of subtle texture and colour, intruded on only by the very tip of a wing and the tail of the insect perched on the front. The eyelet for the green silk cord is edged with a delicate sliver of pure gold.
With this, Ford’s latest kagamibuta netsuke, he takes the format further away from the usual turned wooden or ivory bowl. The lid and bowl in this instance, being conceived as a single river worn pebble, the sort you’d skim over the surface of the water…much like the way dragonflies flit over bodies of water too.
The “pebble” is hand raised, by delicate hammering, from a thin sheet of steel. On the front, the surface has been sensitively worked to create an almost sensual, leather-like skin which serves as a perfect ground for the subject matter.
The dragonfly is inlaid and carved in high relief. It’s made up of pure silver wings and a shibuichi (an alloy of copper and silver) body with a pattern inlaid in pure gold. The shibuichi has attained a rare, olive green patina that’s a convincingly natural colour for the insect and one that complements the moist, deep brown tones of the steel wonderfully.
The most striking aspect to this composition must be the wings. The artist has managed to convey everything we associate with these incredible structures by means of a breathtaking display of virtuoso chiselling. The characteristic veining, abstracted and reduced to it’s essence combine with the iridescent lustre colours of purple, blue and green to produce a truly magical expression in metal.
Inside the bowl, carved in intaglio, is a second dragonfly, this one appearing to fly away from the viewer. The reverse of the pebble is a study of subtle texture and colour, intruded on only by the very tip of a wing and the tail of the insect perched on the front. The eyelet for the green silk cord is edged with a delicate sliver of pure gold.