Oleh Jim Hingst
Banyak
veteran carvers, such as Dr. Francis Lestingi, select mahogany for exterior painted
signage because it is a strong wood that will hold detail. Mahogany is also a
great choice for interior applications, because when the wood is stained and
varnished it is undoubtedly one of nature’s most beautiful gifts. Today, that beauty
comes at a higher price than other more commonplace woods.
veteran carvers, such as Dr. Francis Lestingi, select mahogany for exterior painted
signage because it is a strong wood that will hold detail. Mahogany is also a
great choice for interior applications, because when the wood is stained and
varnished it is undoubtedly one of nature’s most beautiful gifts. Today, that beauty
comes at a higher price than other more commonplace woods.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Dr. Francis Lestingi |
Mahoni
has not only been prized by sign carvers for it’s durability, it also has been
a favorite for fine furniture ever since the days of Thomas Chippendale. Prior to
his day, oak was the choice for cabinetry and furniture. In part what influenced
the change in taste in Georgian England was a growing middle class. With more
disposable income, the bourgeoisie could now afford fashion as well as
functionality. What also changed tastes was supply. As European powers expanded
their control over the New World, mahogany from the West Indies became more available
to furniture makers and carvers and, as supply increased, more affordable.
has not only been prized by sign carvers for it’s durability, it also has been
a favorite for fine furniture ever since the days of Thomas Chippendale. Prior to
his day, oak was the choice for cabinetry and furniture. In part what influenced
the change in taste in Georgian England was a growing middle class. With more
disposable income, the bourgeoisie could now afford fashion as well as
functionality. What also changed tastes was supply. As European powers expanded
their control over the New World, mahogany from the West Indies became more available
to furniture makers and carvers and, as supply increased, more affordable.
ek
had been the favorite of Englishmen ever since the days when Julius Caesar
stepped the country’s shore. Then the island covered with a dense oak forest. The
hard work exemplified the personality of the people: tough, practical and
unbending. In some ways, the characteristics of oak had an undeniable advantage.
Furniture, architectural embellishment and artwork constructed with this wood were
durable. The problem was that because this wood was so strong, it was also difficult
to work with. The result was that the style of oak carving, which often looked
medieval. In addition, the oak furniture, although very sturdily built, looked clumsy
and somewhat primitive.
had been the favorite of Englishmen ever since the days when Julius Caesar
stepped the country’s shore. Then the island covered with a dense oak forest. The
hard work exemplified the personality of the people: tough, practical and
unbending. In some ways, the characteristics of oak had an undeniable advantage.
Furniture, architectural embellishment and artwork constructed with this wood were
durable. The problem was that because this wood was so strong, it was also difficult
to work with. The result was that the style of oak carving, which often looked
medieval. In addition, the oak furniture, although very sturdily built, looked clumsy
and somewhat primitive.
Mahoni
solved some of the shortcomings of working with oak and it also satisfied an
unmet market need for more elegant furniture. Compared to other woods, the
darker mahogany was more beautiful. It was also strong and resisted rot. Plus,
it was easier to fabricate and allowed furniture makers and artists to more
easily carve intricate designs and the wood would hold its detail.
solved some of the shortcomings of working with oak and it also satisfied an
unmet market need for more elegant furniture. Compared to other woods, the
darker mahogany was more beautiful. It was also strong and resisted rot. Plus,
it was easier to fabricate and allowed furniture makers and artists to more
easily carve intricate designs and the wood would hold its detail.
workability of mahogany opened the doors of creativity. What Chippendale was now
able to provide the British market was variety of styles. Not only was he a
gifted designer and master craftsman, Thomas Chippendale was also a master
marketer. Chippendale understood what appealed to the new moneyed class and he
aimed to give the customer what he wanted. His greatest achievement may have been the
publishing of his book The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director. This was the
world’s first catalog of furniture design. With an offering of 160 designs,
Chippendale promised a full range of the popular styles of the day. Working in
mahogany, he could deliver on those promises.
workability of mahogany allowed craftsmen to carve into the elegant designs of
the Rococo¹ Period which appealed to the burgeoning middle class. What also
appealed to the public’s sense of style was the luxurious color of the wood. When it is finished, the deep dark reddish
brown of mahogany is stunning.
Tidak
all wood that is sold as mahogany is the same. The type of mahogany that Thomas
Chippendale worked with came from Latin America. Britain originally imported
mahogany from the Caribbean islands such as Jamaica and Haiti. Later a more
highly valued type of mahogany was imported from Honduras. Today, Honduran
Mahogany is often called “Genuine Mahogany”.
all wood that is sold as mahogany is the same. The type of mahogany that Thomas
Chippendale worked with came from Latin America. Britain originally imported
mahogany from the Caribbean islands such as Jamaica and Haiti. Later a more
highly valued type of mahogany was imported from Honduras. Today, Honduran
Mahogany is often called “Genuine Mahogany”.
Sana
are many other the types of Latin American mahogany. Each species of mahogany
has its own unique physical characteristics, which include the weight of the
wood, its density or hardness and the color. These include Honduran mahogany
(Swietenia macrophylla) and West Indian or Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)
as well as Venezuelan Mahogany, Peruvian Mahogany and Big Leaf Mahogany.
are many other the types of Latin American mahogany. Each species of mahogany
has its own unique physical characteristics, which include the weight of the
wood, its density or hardness and the color. These include Honduran mahogany
(Swietenia macrophylla) and West Indian or Cuban mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)
as well as Venezuelan Mahogany, Peruvian Mahogany and Big Leaf Mahogany.
Melalui
the centuries, as the popularity increased, supplies have declined and prices
have risen. The overharvesting of Latin American mahogany has endangered this
species of wood in some countries to the point that exportation has been banned
in some places, such as Honduras.
the centuries, as the popularity increased, supplies have declined and prices
have risen. The overharvesting of Latin American mahogany has endangered this
species of wood in some countries to the point that exportation has been banned
in some places, such as Honduras.
As
Latin American mahogany has become less available and more expensive, furniture
makers, cabinet makers and sign carvers have sought alternatives. One
alternative is African mahogany (marga
Khaya). It is a different species, yet
still related to the mahogany in the Americas.
Latin American mahogany has become less available and more expensive, furniture
makers, cabinet makers and sign carvers have sought alternatives. One
alternative is African mahogany (marga
Khaya). It is a different species, yet
still related to the mahogany in the Americas.
Sementara
Honduran mahogany is known as “Genuine Mahogany”, African mahogany is no less
real. The differences are comparable to Coke, known as the “Real Thing” and
Pepsi. One difference between the two types of mahogany is coloration. Honduran
mahogany has more rusty color, while African is more pinkish.
Honduran mahogany is known as “Genuine Mahogany”, African mahogany is no less
real. The differences are comparable to Coke, known as the “Real Thing” and
Pepsi. One difference between the two types of mahogany is coloration. Honduran
mahogany has more rusty color, while African is more pinkish.
graining of the two woods is also slightly different. Honduran mahogany has a
straight and more consistent grain, which makes it ideal for furniture makers. The
grain of African mahogany, on the other hand, can vary. That is not necessarily
a bad thing. It is all a matter of taste. Variation in the grain of this wood
may be regarded as an adding to its character, charm and beauty.
Untuk
sign carvers, there are several types of mahogany, which make a great choice. Deciding
on the choice of mahogany is not the only choice that you need to make. If it is a wood that you would like to work
with, do your due diligence and properly vet the supplier. As I have explained
in this article, not all mahogany is the same. What’s more, there are different
grades of mahogany. Know what you are buying and who you are buying from.
sign carvers, there are several types of mahogany, which make a great choice. Deciding
on the choice of mahogany is not the only choice that you need to make. If it is a wood that you would like to work
with, do your due diligence and properly vet the supplier. As I have explained
in this article, not all mahogany is the same. What’s more, there are different
grades of mahogany. Know what you are buying and who you are buying from.
Dr
Francis Lestingi reports that most of the mahogany sign blanks that he uses are
comprised of laminated pieces. He feels that boards comprised of very narrow
strips are structurally stronger, more dimensionally stable and less likely to
warp, than if wider pieces were used.
Francis Lestingi reports that most of the mahogany sign blanks that he uses are
comprised of laminated pieces. He feels that boards comprised of very narrow
strips are structurally stronger, more dimensionally stable and less likely to
warp, than if wider pieces were used.
It
seems almost a sin to paint mahogany exterior signs, but it is something that
cannot be avoided. Without a good coat of paint, sunlight light will bleach its
deep red, luxurious color.
seems almost a sin to paint mahogany exterior signs, but it is something that
cannot be avoided. Without a good coat of paint, sunlight light will bleach its
deep red, luxurious color.
CATATAN
¹ Pernah
the pragmatist, when fashions changed from the more ornate decoration of Rococo
Period to the stark simplicity of Neoclassic design, Thomas Chippendale changed
his designs to meet the demands of his clientele.
the pragmatist, when fashions changed from the more ornate decoration of Rococo
Period to the stark simplicity of Neoclassic design, Thomas Chippendale changed
his designs to meet the demands of his clientele.
ARTIKEL TERKAIT
Tentang Jim Hingst: Menandatangani otoritas bisnis pada bungkus kendaraan, grafis vinil, sablon, pemasaran, penjualan, daun emas, ukiran kayu, dan lukisan.
Setelah Setelah empat belas tahun menjadi Manajer Pengembangan Bisnis di RTape, Jim Hingst pensiun. Ia terlibat dalam banyak aspek bisnis perusahaan, termasuk pemasaran, penjualan, pengembangan produk, dan layanan teknis.
Hingst memulai kariernya 42 tahun lalu di bidang seni grafis dengan membuat dan memproduksi materi iklan dan promosi untuk produsen peralatan uji besar. Bekerja untuk percetakan offset, percetakan layar format besar, produsen film vinil, dan perusahaan pita aplikasi, pengalamannya meliputi estimasi, perencanaan produksi, pembelian dan produksi seni, serta penjualan dan pemasaran. Dalam kapasitasnya sebagai tenaga penjual, Hingst diakui dengan berbagai penghargaan atas prestasi penjualan.
Dengan mengandalkan pengalamannya dalam produksi dan sebagai subkontraktor pemasangan grafis, Hingst memberikan saran praktis kepada industri, dengan menerbitkan lebih dari 150 artikel untuk berbagai publikasi, seperti Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics, dan Sign Builder Illustrated. Ia juga mengunggah lebih dari 500 cerita di blognya (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). Pada tahun 2007, buku Hingst, Vinyl Sign Techniques, diterbitkan. Teknik Tanda Vinyl tersedia di distributor perlengkapan tanda dan di Amazon.
Hak cipta © Jim Hingst 2018
