EDM 21
1/17/2010 04:08:00 PM Posted In Everyday Matters , pencil drawing Edit This 12 Comments »
Everyday Matters is an art group I belong to which celebrates making art everyday. There is a list of things to draw in the file section that has many, many, ideas of someplace to start. For someone like me who gets stuck with some regularity, this list is most helpful. Some time ago I printed out the list and pinned it to one of the bulletin boards in my studio. The list is much longer now, but I haven't come close to doing all of the drawings on the one I have, so I haven't bothered to update it.
Anyhow, the drawing I chose to do is "Draw something old, antique, or vintage". What I've drawn is a button. I bought this button for my sweetie almost 40 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!). I was in an antique shop in Birmingham, MI, saw it and just had to have it. The owner of the shop told me it was about 300 years old, hand carved in China from ivory, and was probably the button from a "briefcase" belonging to someone quite wealthy. It measures about 2 1/4 inches high and can stand on its own. I've tried to do some research about it, but I've never seen anything resembling it in any antique button book or online. I still love it every bit as much now as I did then. So does my sweetie .... I think! lol
Anyhow, the drawing I chose to do is "Draw something old, antique, or vintage". What I've drawn is a button. I bought this button for my sweetie almost 40 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!). I was in an antique shop in Birmingham, MI, saw it and just had to have it. The owner of the shop told me it was about 300 years old, hand carved in China from ivory, and was probably the button from a "briefcase" belonging to someone quite wealthy. It measures about 2 1/4 inches high and can stand on its own. I've tried to do some research about it, but I've never seen anything resembling it in any antique button book or online. I still love it every bit as much now as I did then. So does my sweetie .... I think! lol
12 comments:
Very, very nice Nancy. I like that you did all the different sides. What a treasure. You ought to make a nice journal (one to go on a coffee table) and use this for the closure!
How unusual - can't be many of these about! A great sketch that explains so well a complicated button.
Good job here - have you looked up Netsuke? I believe those were used for closing Obi, but maybe this is also a netsuke. Anyway, I sure understand why you love it.
Great story and lovely drawings, I'm glad too you chose to draw each side.
Wow! That's an impressive button to be sure! I can see why you had to buy it! Fantastic sketch of it; love that has an analytical touch to it, sketching from every angle.
I'm still in shock that you found a button THAT old!
That's the coolest button I've ever seen, and the history behind it, wow! Awesome sketch! I need to do more challenges.
Silly me, I kept saying "What button? I don't see a button?" Then, "Oh that's a button!" I kept thinking I was looking at an animal. What a boob I am! Great button, Nancy! And a great drawing! I'll pay better attention next time!
I love this one too Nancy! Hahaha.. made me smile real big!
I am so glad to be back too. Sorry that I hadn't been able to make any time for art or to reply any of you guys' comments too. It's been really hectic, but it's all done deal now. I just gotta wait for the official stuff to get done with and hopefully get a job right after.
What a perspective drawing. Nice one!
Color Pencil Drawing-Rajasthani Painting
It is a beautiful button and your drawing render its beauty perfectly!
Great drawing, very faithful to the item. The holes in the back are where the cord went through to allow this to act as a closure and security device on a Japanese kimono. Kimono had no pockets and small purses were hung from the obi or sash. These netsuke evolved from buttons to sculpture. They can be vary valuable. They are also still made in much the same traditional ways.
You have a great find - a kataborinetsuke (形彫根付) or "sculpture netsuke".
You also have a great eye in your sketch.
Thanx for sharing.
What a wonderful find! You did a great job drawing the button. Thank you for sharing.
Post a Comment