Photos

Comments

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  Thelma January 29, 2015 at 1:11pm

  For me, this piece is interesting because it represents a particular group of asyks engraved with quite abstract symbols arranged in patterns which are sometimes difficult to discern. The patterns on this one include the water sign ... an elongated S. But there are arrows too and other shapes, all arranged very precisely by a master of the art.
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  Anna Garner January 29, 2015 at 1:35pm

  Beautiful photo and a wonderful write-up, Thelma! You are such a dedicated collector and a great researcher. How long now until your book is published? (smile)
  Anna
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  Thelma January 29, 2015 at 5:16pm

  Thanks Anna.  I think it takes special skill to engrave this type of design accurately. You know the right side of the asyk is supposed to be a mirror image of the left. (So the mirror image of 'b' is 'd' and a copy of 'b' is 'b') I can remember discussing this many months ago in regard to one of Joost's asyks.

  In this asyk the engraver has expertly captured the mirror image of one side on the other. But I've now seen many asyks of this type where the engraver has given up and has simply copied the design from one side to the other ... or has even decided not to make the attempt and has introduced something of his own .... may a little trefoil.  They all seem to have found uses amongst the local population.
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  Peter Hoesli January 29, 2015 at 5:29pm

  Dear Thelma. This is very interesting indeed. Many thanks for your posting. The Asyk is great too Anna - Congratulations. Peter
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  Anna Garner January 29, 2015 at 7:21pm

  I had never noticed the mirror image design on the face of the several asyks we once had in our collection.  I only have one very old one still available.  The engraving has become worn so faint that it would be difficult to discern how the decoration was handled.  Thank you for all this very important information, Thelma.  

  Anna
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  Anna Garner January 29, 2015 at 7:26pm

  After looking at this photo for a while, I wondered if maybe the engraver used the technique that a modern engraver would use in order to make one side the mirror image of the other.  For example, the thin appliqué over the silver base would be in two pieces shaped as chambers of the heart in this case.  The pieces would be stacked face to face or back to back.  The engraving would be done through both thin layers.  When the engraving is finished, we open up the panels and Voila! we have a mirror image!   Then the thin cut-out appliqué can be applied to the base.  Just wondering....

  Anna
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  Thelma January 29, 2015 at 8:13pm

  That's interesting Anna. I have often wondered how the mirror image could be reproduced and whether it was done with some sort of template or simply by eye. In some cases, where the 'target', (the mirror image) was not achieved, the engraver was probably not in possession of any of these techniques. But what were they? Certainly, if you made a mistake with the complicated detail of the pattern it was a Big Problem.
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  Thelma January 29, 2015 at 8:33pm

  Ah! Looking now more closely at the design, I can see at least one discrepancy between the left and the right. Does this mean something or is it an error? Very well disguised.
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  Lynn Ardent January 29, 2015 at 9:36pm

  This is a very beautiful and large asyk.  I particularly like your description of the carnelians as sultry.  :)  Congratulations Thelma and thank you for the information.
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  Toya January 30, 2015 at 3:31am

  Fantastic piece! So very beautiful. Congrats!