Bronze gargoyle door knocker: December 2011

What is a Gargoyle?

Gargoyle is most often applied to medieval works, but throughout the ages it was adapted as, " a means of water diversion". In ancient architecture, gargoyles typically took the form of a lion's head. Similar lion-mouthed water spouts were also seen on Greek temples. Many medieval cathedrals included gargoyles. The most famous are those of Notre Dame de Paris. Although most have grotesque features, the term gargoyle has come to include all types of images. Some gargoyles were depicted as monks, or combinations of real animals and people, many of which were humorous. Unusual animal mixtures, or chimeras, did not act as rain spouts and are more properly called grotesques. They serve more as ornamentation, but are now synonymous with gargoyles.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Gargoyle shield and strike plate fabrication

The background shield that will suspend the gargoyle from the wings has been fabricated in walnut. Plastic letters are utilized to spell out "HAUD VEREOR" a Latin phrase which means, "no fear"

We are currently looking into the correct spelling. My version, has "havd" vs "haud". I believe, "haud" is correct.

The blue tape on the shield is where the hinge will be located. The hinge will also be fabricated in wood.

(The wood sections will be molded in order to produce the wax reproductions)

The strike plate will be embellished with some designs. I have not decided on the design yet.