The Armour Archive

Ok, I have this here very simple gorget from the magnificent Mad Matt.

http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/renjunkie/

It's his most basic model.

I want to do some spiffication in leather to it. I'm going to contact cement the leather on, probably in blue. I haven't decided if I'll sell it or keep it. It may very well end up as a fencing gorget. May even add a mantle to it. The design will be cut thru. I want the steel to be visible underneath.

My question to all of you have have artistic compositional ability; What should I put on it? I can make nearly anything. I just can't get my head wrapped around composition...lol. I'd like a period design. I know, huge vague statement, but I dunno much more than that. I don't really know what vine or leaf designs were used or when. I don't really want to do some sort of armory simply because I have no arms, and like I said, I'm not sure if I'm keeping or selling it. I know that I do NOT want knotwork of any type, any era. I simply don't...lol. Any suggestions? Or at the least, suggestions of places to find uber nifty period designs?

Please don't make me decide...I suck at it. I can put whatever on it. But figuring out what to do makes my not-artistic head hurt.

And I don't want to have to do another Lego design...lol

Thanks,
Christopher

Acanthus leaves are lovely.

Google them. I did, but the URL would thouroghly mess up the thread. I don't think that they are right for a gorget, but neither would knotwork or legos.

They show up a lot in Greek and Roman stuff, and they seem to be EVERYWHERE in the neo classical stuff. Come to think of it, they might actually be right for a renn themed fencing gorget.

It would be fun to make a couple of paper (maybe tracing paper, maybe graph paper) copies of the thing, and then just draw for a few days, while watching the TV.

f

You should put a clear coat on the metal before you put the leather on. The leather will encourage rust because of the moisture in it. Plus cleaning rust out of little holes in the leather would be a pain. Clear coat should prevent that.

Worse than a pain; iron stains leather black, permanently.

Konstantin the Red wrote:Worse than a pain; iron stains leather black, permanently.

Makes for a really good, long lasting and effective coloring agent (it's not technically a dye because it's a reaction between the tannins in the leather and the iron).

I just learned the other day that the term "vinegaroon" is a reference to black leather colored by treating with a solution of iron in vinegar. I never would have guessed.

Yeah, I was kinda wondering how to keep the tannins from eating the metal. Any reccomendations on what sort of clearcoat would work best?

Anyone got more ideas on the design part?

Thanks,
Christopher

Well, the gorget itself is a modern creation. So, no help there.

However, you DID say something about a fencing gorget, which DEFINATELY puts a time frame on it.

So, if you go with a fencing influence, you are looking at a very late time frame.

Now, leather pierce work on armour is going to be pretty much a modern creation. But, I think it might work if you use designs like the etchings on the Morions below. I can't remember what the style of line work and motif is, but I know it is NOT CELTIC KNOTWORK. It is a much later style that is similar, but has some very distinct differences. Anyway, if you did some pierce work like this, I think it would make for a nice piece.


[img]http://www.civilization.ca/milhist/austria/images/ausa08b.gif[/img]

Sweet looking helmets. The design work looks sort of arabesque, maybe they are Spainish?

In regards to finding designs, look in at tiles, tapestries, chests and decorative frescoes from the period. It should give you an idea what aesthetic was popular at the time.

Fearghus Macildubh wrote:Sweet looking helmets. The design work looks sort of arabesque, maybe they are Spainish?

In regards to finding designs, look in at tiles, tapestries, chests and decorative frescoes from the period. It should give you an idea what aesthetic was popular at the time.

Don't forget illuminated manuscripts. Great source for the aesthetic.