Auldjo Jug
With the blanks made Terri’s focus was now on the decoration and decided to work first on recreating the replica of the Auldjo Jug. The original in the British Museum is severely damaged with significant sections missing. Terri sought guidance on the decoration from Dr Paul Roberts and was told simply to interpret the design as best she could. Fortunately the flowing branches on the original lend themselves to a continuous interpretation.
Before carving could commence the base was ground flat, which took several hours and gave an indication of the opal thickness. The grooves along the length of the handle were also cut and polished.
From close up photographs and ink drawings the design was transposed onto the self-adhesive plastic film that had been applied to the blank. The outline of the design was cut out and the extraneous film removed ready for sandblasting. With the sandblasting complete Terri could start her carving, using the high speed dentist’s drill, during November 2011, by the 19th January 2012 it was complete.
Reproduction of the Auldjo Jug dated 2012. Image courtesy of Graham Dale, Stourbridge.
Original restored Auldjo Jug in the British Museum. Image courtesy of British Museum.