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Wingader Presentation Gavel
Wingader Presentation Gavel
Click picture for more detail
Click picture for more detail
I was commissioned to make this gavel by a dear friend who was going to be installed as the Master of his lodge for the first time. We discussed what he had in mind, colors, woods, shapes, and symbolism. The York Rite keystone was a symbol he wanted prominently featured as the design for the head, and he chose the colors red, white, and black which lead us to padauk, maple, and ebony as wood choice. As it was a tradition (and still is) for a craftsman to have a special signature or "mark", he furnished me with a drawing of his own mark to include, which was made from a superimposition of runes. Aside from these parameters, I had free reign.
I chose to do a "built up" striped gacel head incorperating all three woods, and continued the handle out of the center layer (ebony) for continuity. As the handle would have looked very plain as just ebony, I continued the keystone theme by making maple keystones with padauk rings, which added a nice flow to the gavel.
For his mark, we discussed the geometry and I did a little research into runes to make sure I was understanding the shapes and proportions corectly. I don't do a lot of engraving, so this was a fun challenge to engrave on the top of the gavel.
To add additional symbolism, and tie into the keystone rings, I also engraved a circumpunct (or sun sign, or alchemical gold, etc) into the bottom/back of the gavel head. When the gavel is set upon the Master's pedestal, everyone sees his mark displayed and facing them. Only the Master will see the circumpunct when presiding, symbolically reminding him of his obligations to the Craft and the perfection and harmony he ought to strive for in his governance.
The was finished with several hand rubbed coats of shellac (my preferred finishing technique) to give a nice warm appearance and protect the wood.
I also had the honor of being asked by this Brother to assist in his installation ceremony, which was a wonderful experience. It was very gratifying to see his face light up when seeing the gavel for the first time, and I was very pleased that he was pleased.
Congratulations to you again, Worshipful Brother Wingader, may you weild this gavel justly, and may it bring you pleasure during your term in the East and beyond.
I was commissioned to make this gavel by a dear friend who was going to be installed as the Master of his lodge for the first time. We discussed what he had in mind, colors, woods, shapes, and symbolism. The York Rite keystone was a symbol he wanted prominently featured as the design for the head, and he chose the colors red, white, and black which lead us to padauk, maple, and ebony as wood choice. As it was a tradition (and still is) for a craftsman to have a special signature or "mark", he furnished me with a drawing of his own mark to include, which was made from a superimposition of runes. Aside from these parameters, I had free reign.
I chose to do a "built up" striped gacel head incorperating all three woods, and continued the handle out of the center layer (ebony) for continuity. As the handle would have looked very plain as just ebony, I continued the keystone theme by making maple keystones with padauk rings, which added a nice flow to the gavel.
For his mark, we discussed the geometry and I did a little research into runes to make sure I was understanding the shapes and proportions corectly. I don't do a lot of engraving, so this was a fun challenge to engrave on the top of the gavel.
To add additional symbolism, and tie into the keystone rings, I also engraved a circumpunct (or sun sign, or alchemical gold, etc) into the bottom/back of the gavel head. When the gavel is set upon the Master's pedestal, everyone sees his mark displayed and facing them. Only the Master will see the circumpunct when presiding, symbolically reminding him of his obligations to the Craft and the perfection and harmony he ought to strive for in his governance.
The was finished with several hand rubbed coats of shellac (my preferred finishing technique) to give a nice warm appearance and protect the wood.
I also had the honor of being asked by this Brother to assist in his installation ceremony, which was a wonderful experience. It was very gratifying to see his face light up when seeing the gavel for the first time, and I was very pleased that he was pleased.
Congratulations to you again, Worshipful Brother Wingader, may you weild this gavel justly, and may it bring you pleasure during your term in the East and beyond.