Paten, with Patina

It's curious to note that the root word for patina is paten, Latin for plate. Today I bring you a paten with patina. Visitors to my work often ask if the color on the larger pieces is a patina. It's not a word we use everyday, and it's not a concept our technologically advanced society often pauses long enough to appreciate. Perhaps the poets do a better job of explaining it than metal smiths do. The face of a sailor could be said to have a patina. The surface of an antique piece of wooden furniture might possess a patina. The brass railing, beside a marble staircase, leading up the steps to a public building, has developed a patina. Thousands of hands have rubbed some surfaces smooth, satin, polished and left other areas untouched, weathered. Just as the repeated dusting's, cleanings and touching have given the surface of a wooden table character over time, given it a glow, or luster. The face of the sailor shows the effects of his environment over the years. A patina has much to tell us about the passing of time and the evidences of that time passing. It's not something that's applied. Patina is all about developing character.

A sneek preview

Here's a sneak preview for you. These candle sticks are coming along nicely. They bring together two of the areas of my work, for the first time. The wire work or braiding and fold forming.
The pieces are just stacked together for this pic. Since this pic the ferrules have been shaped to fit, the candle holding pipe has received a drip cup of 12 gauge (thick stuff), and the fabricating
(silver soldering) is done. They are in the pickle now. Final cleaning, prep for a patina and the threaded rod, custom washers and nuts that holds each together are all that remain to be done.
A patina hasn't been chosen as of yet. I'm leaning towards a Roycroft approach. Plan is to do a demo of this piece, complete with process shots. Brad

Just a few new pieces

A bouquet of fold formed copper

While I'm busy working on my suntan.