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The Birth of
a Nation
Commissioned by James Blumenstiel
Designed and scrmshawed by Sandra Brady
Completed December 19, 2005
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The art work is intricate and is full of symbolism. The tree,
just beginning to gain its spring foliage, has 3 main branches
supporting the eagle aerie. The three eggs of "life,
liberty and pursuit" are guarded by the female while the
male is circling overhead. The next, itself a bundle of intertwining
branches, is interspersed with the ribbon of "We the People".
Above the clouds there are thirteen stars twinkling in the sky,
indicative of the original thirteen states. |
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This walrus ivory often referred
to as "fossilized" walrus ivory, was originally used
by the Eskimos as part of an adze. Fossil ivory comes from three
sources - it is either walrus ivory that has been buried for hundreds
to thousands of years or it is 10,000 plus year old ivory from
the long extinct woolly mammoth or mastodon. All of these
ivories have been buried for centuries and have absorbed minerals
from the soil that have turned them varying colors from tan, orange,
golden brown, and chocolate brown to even black; occasionally
a blue or green color is also seen. This ivory is not truly
fossilized in the sense that the ivory has been replaced with
minerals/stone; it is really just beginning to become mineralized.
It is in the earliest stages of fossilization. Most "fossil"
walrus ivory is found in the form of Eskimo artifacts, usually
sled runners, large chopping tools (adzes or mauls) or net weights;
this is because the Eskimo had lots of ivory and very little good
wood. The Eskimo dig for these artifacts during the warm summer
months at ancient village sites. |
The hand forged wrought iron
leaves and tree that hold the ivory were designed and crafted
specifically for this piece by an artisan in Wisconsin.
All this is finished with a walnut base and antique ivory piano
key name plate. |
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