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"The Resolute Twins"
Presentation Gavels
"The Resolute Twins"
Presentation Gavels
Click picture for more detail
Click picture for more detail
I made this special pair of gavels to be silent auctioned for charity at the inaugeral 2020 Masonic Con Chicago taking place on September 18-20, 2020. Virtually and in person, there were over 150 attendees from all across North America.
I was also honored contribute the designs for the Con logo, as well as the commemorative pins and coins. The organizer of the Con is a dear friend of mine who also loves the art-deco aesthetic, so these were a lot of fun to put together and see brought to life.
I made this special pair of gavels to be silent auctioned for charity at the inaugeral 2020 Masonic Con Chicago taking place on September 18-20, 2020. Virtually and in person, there were over 150 attendees from all across North America.
I was also honored contribute the designs for the Con logo, as well as the commemorative pins and coins. The organizer of the Con is a dear friend of mine who also loves the art-deco aesthetic, so these were a lot of fun to put together and see brought to life.
The art deco styling was something I wanted to incorperate into these gavels. I don't often have the opportunity to make things like this in sets, so it was an interesting change of pace right off the bat. I knew I wanted the gavels to be linked by a common theme, but also have their own stylistic personalities. I also didn't want to have any particular "kitschy" obvious link to the event: chances are, these will go on to serve in Masonic Lodges or be gifted on, and I wanted them to feel like fine, bespoke impliments rather than promotional items.
I was fortunate to purchase some stunning Central American bocote wood, which had truly gorgeous variegated grain patterns. I decided to let the wood speak for itself, and aim for designs which were unique but clean, and cut in such a way that the bocote would be the star. Curved facets against straight lines allowed me to show off the grain at different angles, and create some stunning effects.
Since I cut the gavel heads consecutively from a single piece of bocote, they shared a mirrored surface. I paired up the heads so that the mirrored faces would sit side-by-side in orientation if the gavels were held side by side, not unlike those old "friendship" necklaces. This would serve as the link between the two gavels, and wherever in the world they may wind up, they are still each part of a set. Joking about this with the Con organizer, we christened them "The Resolute Twins", a nod to the Resolute Desks, and to a lesser extent, a certain popular fictional Masonic movie.
I sketched out two different gavel designs: one more traditional and symmetrical, one more modern and asymmetrical. Most gavels around tend to be fairly reserved and traditional, an aesthetic I respect. However, as there are many younger men finding the Craft, non-traditional styling reaches a broad demographic as well.
Since I do not have a lathe, my gavels are built-up and tend to incorperate dramatic angles. Making them this way is very geometry-heavy, and also utilizes certain symbolic tools including the gauge, square, level, plumb, pencil, hammer, and chisel.
In the end, the gavels came together beautifully, and it was enjoyable constructing them side by side, doing processes in pairs and comparing one to the other as they were shaped. The gavels were finished with several light hand rubbed coats of shellac, which gives a nice rich satin appearance, and will age beautifully. Bocote is also a fairly oily wood, and that natural oil will also warm over time and handling.
This was a great project, and I hope the new owners will enjoy them!
The art deco styling was something I wanted to incorperate into these gavels. I don't often have the opportunity to make things like this in sets, so it was an interesting change of pace right off the bat. I knew I wanted the gavels to be linked by a common theme, but also have their own stylistic personalities. I also didn't want to have any particular "kitschy" obvious link to the event: chances are, these will go on to serve in Masonic Lodges or be gifted on, and I wanted them to feel like fine, bespoke impliments rather than promotional items.
I was fortunate to purchase some stunning Central American bocote wood, which had truly gorgeous variegated grain patterns. I decided to let the wood speak for itself, and aim for designs which were unique but clean, and cut in such a way that the bocote would be the star. Curved facets against straight lines allowed me to show off the grain at different angles, and create some stunning effects.
Since I cut the gavel heads consecutively from a single piece of bocote, they shared a mirrored surface. I paired up the heads so that the mirrored faces would sit side-by-side in orientation if the gavels were held side by side, not unlike those old "friendship" necklaces. This would serve as the link between the two gavels, and wherever in the world they may wind up, they are still each part of a set. Joking about this with the Con organizer, we christened them "The Resolute Twins", a nod to the Resolute Desks, and to a lesser extent, a certain popular fictional Masonic movie.
I sketched out two different gavel designs: one more traditional and symmetrical, one more modern and asymmetrical. Most gavels around tend to be fairly reserved and traditional, an aesthetic I respect. However, as there are many younger men finding the Craft, non-traditional styling reaches a broad demographic as well.
Since I do not have a lathe, my gavels are built-up and tend to incorperate dramatic angles. Making them this way is very geometry-heavy, and also utilizes certain symbolic tools including the gauge, square, level, plumb, pencil, hammer, and chisel.
In the end, the gavels came together beautifully, and it was enjoyable constructing them side by side, doing processes in pairs and comparing one to the other as they were shaped. The gavels were finished with several light hand rubbed coats of shellac, which gives a nice rich satin appearance, and will age beautifully. Bocote is also a fairly oily wood, and that natural oil will also warm over time and handling.
This was a great project, and I hope the new owners will enjoy them!