MEANING: From a Naval or Maritime perspective, an anchor is what puts down roots deep into the sea to hold a ship in place, it has been associated with strength and stability. By this association the sea anchor can be seen symbolically as something that holds you in place and provides you the strength to hold on no matter how rough things get. Sailor’s have long used Anchor tattoos to show their connection to the sea.
On an emotional level, we have often had someone “be our anchor” or have “been someone’s anchor” indicating a relationship that provides strength and support no matter what is thrown in your path...or perhaps...what creates turbulent seas...
For Christians, The Anchor is an emblem of Hope that can be thought of as holding one steadfast in time of trial or doubt. In ancient times, during the period of Roman persecution, the anchor was a symbol with ties to the early Christian church. Roman vessels carried several anchors attached to the stern and prow allowing the vessel to stay steadfast in turbulent seas, giving hope to those aboard. The shape of the Anchor contains a Cross which could be used as a means of identification between Christians during the times or persecution.
THE CARVING:
Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each carving begins as a 1 X 12 inch cedar board. While we use power tools (Scroll Saw, Rotary shaft Tool, handheld detail sanders etc.), we use no laser’s, CNC machines or computer operated cutting machines. All work is done with our hands and eyes…
We cut the 2 dimensional blanks with scroll and jig saws (double-sized custom orders have to be cut with jigsaw). Carving is done with rotary shaft tools and disc grinders. The 80 grit sanding is the final phase of the carving process, removing the nicks and gouges from the carving tools, and finishes the shaping of the weave. The next 2 sandings with 120 then 220 grit finishes the smoothing and polishing. They are finished with Clear Danish Oil to seal the piece, bringing out the grain and the color.
SIZE: One picture has the piece on a quilting board, lined up on the 1 inch marks. The quilting board, at its simplest, is a one inch grid. So with the piece on the board, you look at the top and follow the line to the left and look at the right side at the widest point and follow the line to the bottom and you have height by width...but wait! It's not that easy! The way this board I have is laid out, if I lined it up on the zero points it would cover up the numbers and on some pieces you wouldn't be able to see them...so, I line it up on the 1 inch marks which means when you get the numbers, you have to subtract 1 inch... TA DA! Measurements may vary slightly from piece to piece.
