Shattuck Fellows Plaque

Project Owner: Lisa Laughy
Type of Wood: Spanish Cedar
Finish: Linseed oil and wax
Dimensions: 22" W x 40" H

Description:

The Shattuck Fellows plaque was a commission I received from a private school to create a hand-carved plaque commemorating exemplary supporters of the school. My original design incorporates elements from the school shield – the book and swords in the base - as well as the school symbol – the pelican. The depiction of the pelican is from the medieval bestiary theme of the pelican in her piety – a mother pelican sacrificing herself for her nest full of children - and was adapted from several Gothic Revival style pelicans depicted around the school. The wood came from an old collection once used to maintain the wooded crew boats, and is itself a part of the history and the fabric of the school. The Spanish cedar used for the header and base of the plaque is figured and made for some challenging carving in places, but these beautiful old pieces of wood were worth the effort and I am very pleased with the results.