  This three-legged shallow vessel arose from the dross of a previous project. The hammered sheet form was originally a left ear 'discard' from an elephant lamp I made a couple of years ago. The ear was such a lovely shape that I held on to the remnant, and now the discard has a new life.
My hoarding paid off for a social charity requesting an item for its silent auction. Suitable for holding jewelry, wrapped candies, or keys, the proceeds from this piece will help fund educational scholarships for deserving women.     ‘Aegis’ means protection or guidance by a strong, benevolent force.
This sculpture depicts two forms, one embracing and shrouding the other. This piece symbolizes the comfort and protection found in a parent-child relationship or in a romantic partnership. The word ‘aegis’ is also defined as (literally) a shield or protective armor. Aegis derives from the Greek ‘aigis’, meaning ‘goatskin’. In Greek mythology, aegis is the protective shield of Zeus, often depicted as a a goatskin-covered breastplate. This sculpture is a maquette, a sculptor’s small preliminary model. I make maquettes to get a feel for the lines of a piece. This maquette, including the base, is about 9” tall x 4” wide. The steel sculpture is mounted on a round rod, allowing the piece to rotate in the wood block and be viewed from various angles. I’m grateful to Mike Drejza, an accomplished woodworker and furniture designer, provided the wood block for this piece. I painted the wood to compliment the steel and then waxed it for a smooth finish. Look for a ‘full-size’ version of this sculpture in the coming year. |
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