Upper Bout Inlay (click to see full size)
Ornament
Upper
Bout Inlay (click to see full size)
The music instrument's presence should be congruent with its musical capabilities. Its appearance in a performing setting is an announcement to the listeners. An ornamented instrument which cannot support a masterful musical performance is mere idle decoration. But as the physical aspect of a superb musical experience, ornamentation is another dimension of the music's experience.
In the Concert Grand and Baby Grand
models, an inlay of a traditional design called "purfling
knot" is created for the upper, or minor, bout and another
for the lower, or major, bout. Here, we explore the details of
inlaying the major bout purfling knot.
The
rosette for the Concert Series is taken from the "Book of
Kells," an ancient Celtic Christian manuscript. This image
comes from a corner of St. Matthew's robe, on the cover page of
the Book of Matthew. Its appearance is deceiving--although it
looks like six interlocking rings, it is actually an endless knot.
The knot is set in a surround of red purfling, interrupted with
diamonds.
The
Swan is also a member of the Concert Series, but its soundhole
is a carved swan. The Swan was first suggested by Lorraine Hammond,
for whom the Swan is a personal totem. This article describes
marking and cutting these delicate miniature patterns.
Dwain
Wilder
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