The Cock and the Jasp’
Introduction to a scenic walk on the Isle of Bute
We were approached by the Cardozo Kindersley workshop, to cut a large red jasper cobble that was to be used in a commission.
The piece is to be situated as the introduction to a scenic walk on the Isle of Bute.
The piece is based on the ‘The Cock and the Jasp’ from Morall Fabillis by Robert Henryson and uses local stone as a base for the inscription and the jasper ‘Gem’.
The Morall Fabillis of Esope the Phrygian is a work of Northern Renaissance literature composed in Middle Scots by the fifteenth century Scottish makar, Robert Henryson. It is a cycle of thirteen connected narrative poems based on fables from the European tradition and dates to the 15th Century.
The brief was to create a natural looking polished piece that would be fitted into the host rock to serve as the jasper Gem or Jewel, as refered to in the poem.
“Ga seik the jasp quha will for thair it lay.” – (‘Go seek the jasp, whoever wishes, for there it lay.’) is the inscription and last line of poem.
Alec Mcreadie led the charge with this one and after some close inspection and discussion, was able to get this large (2-3kg) boulder into shape. The intention was to create a shape that was as close to the original boulder as possible. Then, the upper section polished to a clear line around the middle and a step cut on the underside so that the stone, when fitted, would appear to be sitting out of the rock, as if nestled in the ground.
The stone had some deep cracks and furrows on the surface, but these were all wear and tear, and after some fierce grinding, a smooth surface, suitable for further polishin, was achieved. When the upper surface was pretty much finished, an equatorial line was marked and a step was cut all around. The stone was now a sort of peg, that could be fitted into a cut recess on the base rock.
Cardozo Kindersley had made it clear that they would cut the hole to fit our ‘Peg’ so there was no real concern about the jasper being a good fit. More important was the even cutting of the step, so that the underside of the jasper would fit closely where it met the base rock.
the Cardozo Kindersley Workshop is situated in Cambridge, and comprises a team of seven experienced lettercutters creating outstanding lettering in stone, glass, metal, wood and on paper. Their work includes headstones, commemorative plaques, heraldic carving, sundials, sculpture, bookplates, typefaces and lettering cut straight into buildings.
They cut with hammer and chisel and avoid using machines; designing, cutting, painting and gilding all entirely by hand creates a uniquely peaceful and meditative studio that is a pleasure to visit.
Over the decades since its inception the Workshop has undertaken thousands of commissions, large and small, from private individuals as well as public bodies. Examples can be seen at the British Library (entrance gates), the British Museum, The V&A, The National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, St Giles’, Edinburgh and in countless institutions, cemeteries and churches across the UK.
Their celebrated work can be found across continental Europe, Africa, North America, Australia, China and Japan.
Take a Look Inside.
We have an extensive lapidary workshop with dedicated sawing and grinding rooms
There is a well equipped silver workshop including enamelling and metal casting
Members also have access to our large mineral, geological & lapidary library…
…as well as our curated mineral & agate collection with a strong UK & Scottish focus
Visit our Online Shop
Although we are a Charitable Organisation and not a business per se, we do, at times, have a surplus of equipment, rocks & minerals and a variety of other items that we will list here and make available to the public.
Why not drop in and visit our workshop and displays?
Opening Times:
Mondays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Tuesdays – 11.00 am to 4.00 pm & 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Wednesdays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Thursdays – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Fridays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Saturdays – 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Sundays - Closed