WOOD AND METAL BOXES AND OBJECTS

Boxes are perhaps the prime focus of my current work. I am enjoying making them primarily for two reasons. One is the opportunity to combine a variety of materials, mostly wood and metal, in one piece.
This leads to many pleasant contrasts in texture and color.
I also enjoy working with the symbolic nature of boxes. There are many facets to this subject, but perhaps the most basic is the fact that a box is an openable container or vessel.
There are many examples in history and mythology of the box as metaphor, Pandora's box, or the Ark of the Covenant, for example.. In these myths, the box contains something highly valued, perhaps mystical, maybe dangerous, often depending on the motives of the opener.
Thus a box becomes a metaphor for the experience of life and the motivations and intention we bring to it.
There are also endless ways to treat the shape and size of a box and fitting of the lid, some simple and elegant, some clever and complex.

18 BO
Recovery of Silence
A contemplation screen in the tradition of Japanese kenbyo, which were scholars’ desk objects intended to aid in isolation from the mundane world. I wished to treat the scene as a painting by using only those elements that were necessary to convey the peace and beauty of a remote mountain waterfall.

Vera wood, shibuichi, gold. Height 6 inches(15.2 cm)

17 BO
Ancient Stillness
The subject is an Alpine Woodsia fern emanating from a stone. This subject reflects my ongoing fascination with rock forms and a current newfound enthrallment with ferns, one of the most ancient of plants. Vera wood, two alloys of shibuichi, gold.

For the fern I chose materials to enhance the understated quietness of the stone shape and color. I wanted to create a piece that might get overlooked in a grouping, but that when noticed, would convey a strong feeling. This may conform to the Japanese concept of “iki”, in which strength would present itself naturally without being overbearing.

16 BO
Twilight Voices
A kenbyo (contemplation screen) depicting a mountain waterfall at twilight, expressing my love for the quiet and serene. Some of my most peaceful times have been in this calm and beautiful realm, where my mind can relax and enjoy ineffable Nature. Carved Ebony with four alloys of carved and engraved shibuichi, ranging light to dark, front to back. Inlaid with silver and gold.

Height 5.75 inches(14.7 cm)

15 BO
Midwinter Nightowl Table Screen
A contemplation object in which I wished to convey the peace and
quietness of a midwinter snowy evening and my special feeling for
owls. Cast in shibuichi with inlayed and engraved details in pure
silver and gold. Ingot cast by Eznic Karakashian.

shibuichi(70%copper/30%silver), pure silver, 22k gold. Ebony base(7
inches wide/178mm)

14 BO
Greenman Reliquary
Greenman exists in many mythologies as the representation of
humankind's relationship to nature. I made this box as a reliquary,
to contain the remains of Greenman, symbolic of our current state of disharmony with nature. Perhaps there is still time for us to reconcile this relationship.
The box is made of Vera wood, the only green wood I know of. The lid is copper, pierced and engraved in the form of a native Viburnum with added Maidenhair fern in shakudo. Over one leaf passes a snail in Mammoth ivory and gold.
The box measures 13cms(5.2") square.

13 BO
Moth Paperweight
A multi-metal moth rests atop a simulated stone in Vera wood. The
moth is fabricated from shakudo, copper and 22k gold. The "stone" is carved Vera wood shaped to mimic a river stone.
14cm x 7.5cm (5.5" x 3")

12 BO
Leaf Spirit
A carved leaf sculpture in Asian Ebony reflecting my love for the leaf form. Even a single leaf, not to speak of the uncountable number of them, can be a representation of infinity as it changes every instant and passes visually from nothing back to nothing.