War of the Roses

Blood sweat and tears go into carving a good rose or flower and it is a great source of pride when you get it right - normally by copying good examples from other carvers long since past.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some examples hand carved by Agrell Architectural Carving Ltd.,

 

This oak carved newel post and detail are from the Governor's Mansion in Utah where we replaced most of the (German?) carving after extensive fire damage.

      

 

This swag is a hand carved copy taken from a wonderful mid eighteenth century English fire surround belonging to the Getty family.

 

The incredible frieze is our hand carved copy from a carving that I photographed at The Palace of Versailles

 

and the delicate Rococo hand carved cartouche was taken from an etching.

 

Note the apparent delicacy of the wood carving - but not so undercut as to not be able to stand up to practical everyday use (as in the newell post).

 

However, the most important thing is the design and how the flowers seem to have a natural flow and weight of their own - they are not just laid out as a child might draw them.

 

Further information:

A very interesting You Tube film on Versailles: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxIzMr2Ekpo

Ann Getty: www.anngetty.com

Hand carved work provided for Ann Getty: www.agrellcarving.co.uk/clients/private-residences

Governor's Mansion, Utah: www.utah.gov/governor/mansion/mansion_woodcarving.html

Hand carved work provided for The Governor's Mansion, Utah: www.agrellcarving.co.uk/clients/governors-mansion