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on the bench- a.a.i.

Work on the disk continues…

Next, the interlocking inlay pieces for the Khepera and Sun obverse are cut and filed (and filed, and filed) until they fit tightly together. The Sun disk is a slice of narwhal horn, and the wheel-corona is made of a thin slice of ebony.

obv_cutouts

 

ababinv_obvinlay

These pieces are then test-fit onto the foundation disk. Their outlines are marked, and a cavity is routed to allow the inlays to seat down firmly into the (itself inlaid) recess.

ababinv_obv_beetle

 

ababinv_grubcave

Once adjusted and fit, The narwhal horn pieces are fixed in place, and the floor of the “grub cave” is covered with a mix of red woods similar to what constitutes the inlaid red circle at the perimeter. The wheel and scarab are installed next, and the process of final refinement and cleanup begins.

ababinv_rev_bench

The installation and rough carving of the heart panel on the reverse has just been done in this image.

ababinv_rev_benchtopangle

The same side after more refinement and polishing. The silver signature cartouche is visible at the bottom.

cartouche_userpic