Unique Hand Forged Buckles

[tyger]

I have followed up on Matt Newsome's suggestions for a Chi Rho Cross, and they are:


Chi Rho Cross belt buckle, brass on copper, 3.5 inches diameter, copyright 2009




Chi Rho AO Cross belt buckle, brass on copper, 3.5 inches diameter, copyright 2009





I also have designed and fabricated a Dandelion belt buckle, brass on copper with glass, 3.5 inches diameter, copyright 2009





And I have finally gotten the Salmon of Knowledge belt buckle off of the drawing board, brass on copper with glass, 3.5 inches diameter, copyright 2009. Of course, it need not be always a salmon-it could be a trout, or a redfish!

This one was made with hand-dropped glass; it goes perfectly with my Clodagh tartan. However, I have some stones (agate, marble, jasper, epidote) from Scotland, and may use them here. My wife noticed that the color of the glass matched a blue in the tartan, and BINGO! was her response. So, a red jasper would match the red in my Murphy tartan. I can't wait, but can only wear one at a time.

I was thinking about setting an uncut black diamond for the fish eye, but wonder if that might be over-kill. I might do it on the next buckle and see how it looks.

You can see the camera, photographer, and trees reflected in the glass. The photograph was taken on the hood of my truck.




I have a closet full of belts and buckles, I suppose some might view it as a fetish. Let me assure you, it is not! I have a velcro-ended belt, so swapping out the buckle takes about 15 seconds, if one takes ones time. A man needs to wear so many buckles, depending on the occasion.........

[Fougasse]

Mark, it looks like I'm the first to congratulate you on XMTS for those beautiful, well-crafted designs. My only problem now is to decide which one to purchase!

[Dall_Piobaire]

Without a doubt this is some awesome work, and to paraphrase NorCal, so much is cookie cutter stuff these days. The spirit, hard work and creativity, put into these is Celt through and through, a must have, and worth the cost! At the top of my list!!!

Might the old Celtic triple spiral ever be in the offing????

[tyger]

Without a doubt this is some awesome work, and to paraphrase NorCal, so much is cookie cutter stuff these days. The spirit, hard work and creativity, put into these is Celt through and through, a must have, and worth the cost! At the top of my list!!!

Might the old Celtic triple spiral ever be in the offing????

Is this what you have in mind? I have made a couple of Triskelion belt buckles, brass on copper, 3.5 inch diameter.



A triskelion or triskele is a symbol consisting of three interlocked spirals, or any three protrusions and a threefold rotational symmetry.

The triscele has been used since ancient times in Celtic culture to symbolize the cycle of life. It has also been a symbol for the trinity since post-pagan and medieval times in Scotland, Ireland and parts of England and Wales, and as a symbol for the three goddesses of Celtic mythology.

When looking at the symbol it is clear to see that spirals move inward therefore also being cited that each spiral symbolizes strength, honor & fortitude.

[tyger]

After some discussion and time for thought, Matt decided that he wanted his buckle to be built with pewter and brass. The pewter reflects it's soft character, and the brass provides low luster and strength. Both are very warm metals, almost as warm as copper. Notice my cone-head rivets ().




The Chi Rho is one of the earliest christograms used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters in the Greek spelling of the word Christ ( Greek : "Χριστός" ), chi = ch and rho = r, in such a way to produce the monogram ☧.

The Chi Rho symbol was also used by pagan Greek scribes to mark, in the margin, a particularly valuable or relevant passage; the combined letters Chi and Rho standing for chrēston, meaning "good."

Although not technically a cross, the Chi Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ. (Wikipedia)

[McFarkus]

Beautiful, Tyger. And the dandelion is great as an Xmarks buckle.

[tyger]

Here are a couple of pictures, illustrating what the back of the copper buckle looks like. Notice that the back is clean, and completely unfinished except for a light rub to bring out a soft shine. Myriad colors result from the natural suphonation of copper oxides that were formed during high temperature silver-soldering of the bar and tab. Browns, reds, purples, blues, yellows, greens, the more one looks, the more colors one sees. These colors will not rub off, unless one uses either a polishing agent, or abrasive paper.

Bird's eye view:


Lizard's eye view:

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I can't wait for my new buckle! :-)

[LANCER1562]

I like the dandelion buckle. I will have to see if my budget will allow it.

Robert