 |  | Small-Scale Horn Processing (ILO - WEP, 1988, 104 p.) | ||
 |  | CHAPTER X. MANUFACTURE OF DECORATIVE ITEMS | ||
|  | 1. Bracelet | ||
| | 2. Heron | ||
| | 3. Crustacean | ||
| | 4. Arum lily | ||
| | 5. Insects | ||
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To make simple and decorative bracelets, it is preferable to use a variety of horn which resembles tortoiseshell in colour (figure X.1).
Bracelets are manufactured by cutting rings from the hollow section of the horn and splitting them to allow the hand to pass through. The external surface is bevelled during sanding and the edges are carefully trimmed.
Figure X.1:
Bracelet
The heron of the variety commonly known as the "cattle egret" is, in its stylised form, a very attractive ornament (figure X.2).
After ensuring a firm base by removing the irregular part of the base of the horn by cross-cutting, the head is fashioned from the solid section and the wings and feet are cut out. The wing markings and eyes are engraved.
Finally, the heron is sanded and polished.
Figure X.2:
Heron
The crustacean shown in figure X.3 is an extremely decorative ornament. A single horn is sufficient to manufacture it. Some artisans may, however, prefer to use several horns, thus combining different colours in the same crustacean. Figure X.4 is an exploded view of the various parts of the crustacean, in position for assembling.
Claws "B" and "C", legs "D" and antennae "E" are bonded in holes drilled for this purpose in the body "A". The tail fan "F" is bonded into a slit cut at the rear of the body "A". The eyes "G" are generally made from round grains. If these are not available, they may be cut in horn, then bonded into depressions hollowed out in the front end of the body.
The diagrams in figure X.5 give the basic dimensions of the most complex parts.
It should be noted that the two claws "B" and "C" are symmetrical but not identical. They have the same dimensions.
The antennae are 5 mm in diameter at the point where they are bonded to the body. They become thinner towards the other end. Their overall length is approximately 250 mm. The legs have a diameter of 5 mm. Their total length is about 140 mm.
The veins and round markings on the tail fan and the rings on the tail are engraved in the horn.
Figure X.3: Crustacean
Figure X.4: Exploded view of parts of
the crustacean
Figure X.5: Dimensions of parts of
the crustacean - Part A
Figure X.5: Dimensions of parts of
the crustacean - Part B
Figure X.5: Dimensions of parts of
the crustacean - Part
F
The arum lily shown in figure X.6 is fairly easy to manufacture.
The spathe is cut from both the solid and hollow horn sections, as shown in figure X.7. A hole is drilled at its centre to accommodate the flower end and the tip of the stem.
The flower in figure IX.8 is taken from the thick part of the hollow horn and is turned on a lathe. The leaves and stem are cut from hollow sections.
The stem is then rounded along its entire length. The diameter at each end should be 5 mm to allow for assembly. The leaf stalks are also rounded along their entire length. They should have a diameter of 5 mm at their ends for fixing to the base (figures X.9 and X.10).
As in the spathe, the base is made from both solid and hollow horn. Figure X. 11 shows the various stages by which it is made. The exploded view in figure X.12 illustrates the assembly of all components. All parts are bonded into their fixing holes.
Insects offer a range of subjects that can be very realistically reproduced in horn on a magnified scale.
Figure X. 13 shows a few examples of insects which, because of their forms, may provide inspiration to artisans wishing to offer their customers an original collection of horn articles. The collection can indefinitely be extended as 750,000 insect species have been identified in the world. Such a variety is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for homers.
Figure X.6: Arum lily
Figure X.7: Cutting the spathe
Figure X.8: Dimensions of the arum
lily flower
Figure X.9: Cutting the leaf and stem
of the arum lily
Figure X.10: Dimensions of the arum
lily stem
Figure X.11: Various phases in making
the base of the arum lily - Before bending
Figure X.11: Various phases in making
the base of the arum lily - Cutting
Figure X.11: Various phases in making
the base of the arum lily
Figure X.12: Exploded view of the
parts of the arum lily
Figure X.13: Example of insect made
from horn - A
Figure X.13: Example of insect made
from horn - B
Figure X.13: Example of insect made
from horn -
C
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