How were ancient statues carved? - Teh Forum

<body> <div id="header"> <span class="left"> <span class="back"><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT"><span class="image mobile_back" title="Back"></span></a></span> <span class="image mobile_logo" title="Beehive Forum Logo"></span> </span> <ul> <li> <a class="reply_all" href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.0&return_msg=32980.1"> <span class="image mobile_reply_all"></span><span class="text">Reply to All</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="navigation" href="#"> <span class="image mobile_navigation"></span><span class="text">Show messages</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="main" href="#"><span class="image mobile_menu" title="Menu"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu main"> <ul> <li><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Messages</a></li> <li><a href="lpm.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Inbox</a></li> <li><a href="lsearch.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Search</a></li> <li><a href="llogon.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Login</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu navigation"><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1">1–10</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.11">11–20</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.21">21–23</a></div> <div id="page_content"> <h3 class="thread_title"><a href="index.php?webtag=DEFAULT&amp;msg=32980.1">How were ancient statues carved?</a> </h3> <div id="messages" data-navigation="32980_1_23_10"> <a name="a32980_1"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_1"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Woggy<span class="message_time">11 Aug 2007 15:09</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Manthorp <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 16 Aug 2007 14:08"></span></span> <span class="message_count">1 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1">32980.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6939024.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6939024.stm</a></p> <p> </p> <p>How was/are statues like this carved from stone without braking bit's off it and how do you get it so smooth and detailed. It can't all be hammer and chisel?</p> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.1&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.1"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_2"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_2"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Peter (BOUGHTONP)<span class="message_time">11 Aug 2007 16:03</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Woggy <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 11:11"></span></span> <span class="message_count">2 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.2">32980.2</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_1" target="_self">32980.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Dunno, but I'd assume they use different sized chisels for fiddly bits, and then finish off the smoothness with sandpaper/similar.<br /> <br /> <br /> Just found this:<br /> <div class="quotetext" id="quote"><b>quote: </b><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt4.htm">http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt4.htm</a></div><div class="quote">Sometimes a monumental stone statue would be roughly shaped even while being quarried, like that of Osiris that still lies in the granite quarry where it originated, near Shellal south of Aswan. The finer work on a sculpture was done with chisel and mallet, the latter club-shaped during the Old Kingdom and subsequently either club-shaped or round-headed. This method made it easier to determine the force of a blow and, by adjusting the angle of the chisel, to alter the thickness of the flakes removed. To achieve a smooth finish the sculptor used an adze, familiar from our description of woodworking, followed by grinding and polishing with the oval stone or with silicate powder, leather and water.</div><br /> <br /> Oh... just noticed you addressed that to Steve. Not trying to impersonate him. <span class="emoticon e_embarrassed" title=":$"><span class="e__">:$</span></span><div class="edit_text">EDITED: 11 Aug 2007 16:12 by BOUGHTONP</div> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.2&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.2"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_3"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_3"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: THERE IS NO GOD BUT (RENDLE)<span class="message_time">11 Aug 2007 17:09</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Peter (BOUGHTONP) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 11 Aug 2007 18:15"></span></span> <span class="message_count">3 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.3">32980.3</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_2" target="_self">32980.2</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I saw a half-quarried obelisk when I was in Aswan a couple of years ago. Must have taken them ages to get it to the point they'd got it to, and then it went and cracked. Bloody thing. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.3&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.3"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_4"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_4"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: ANT_THOMAS<span class="message_time">11 Aug 2007 17:19</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: THERE IS NO GOD BUT (RENDLE) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 11 Aug 2007 17:25"></span></span> <span class="message_count">4 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.4">32980.4</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_3" target="_self">32980.3</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Aye, that thing really is huge in real life, they must've been extremely pissed off when it cracked! </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.4&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.4"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_5"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_5"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Peter (BOUGHTONP)<span class="message_time">11 Aug 2007 22:16</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: THERE IS NO GOD BUT (RENDLE) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 07:57"></span></span> <span class="message_count">5 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.5">32980.5</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_3" target="_self">32980.3</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I suspect they had the same feeling as I get when I'm biting just the chocolate off a Malteaser and then I slip and the biscuit goes and breaks. Only more so. </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.5&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.5"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_6"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_6"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Drew (X3N0PH0N)<span class="message_time">12 Aug 2007 03:02</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Woggy <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 11:11"></span></span> <span class="message_count">6 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.6">32980.6</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_1" target="_self">32980.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> <p>I worked as a stonemason('s assistant) so I know!</p> <p> </p> <p><raises hand> Me me me me me pick me!</p> <p> </p> <p>Chisels and a mallet <span class="emoticon e_pipe" title=":Y"><span class="e__">:Y</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p>Never worked on marble but I'd imagine it's roughly the same. Saws and big chisels to get it to a rough shape then a variety of chisels for the carving (including ones with kinda serated edges which seem better for following contours and stuff to shave bits off, less likely to slip). Then files and things for smoothing.</p> <p> </p> <p>The mallets are cool. Still round-headed like described in Pete's thing.</p> <p> </p> <p>But yeah, it's amazing that stuff like this (much later than your classical example) was carved without making a devastating mistake:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.loststudies.com/1.3/neobaroque/teresa.jpg">http://www.loststudies.com/1.3/neobaroque/teresa.jpg</a></p> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.6&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.6"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><div class="message"> Message 32980.7 was deleted</div> <a name="a32980_8"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_8"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Woggy<span class="message_time">12 Aug 2007 11:17</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Drew (X3N0PH0N) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 11:18"></span></span> <span class="message_count">8 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.8">32980.8</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_6" target="_self">32980.6</a></div> <div class="message_body"> <p>Looking at that I can't imagine it being done with something like a hammer and chisel. It just seems too (not sure what word I'm looking for), detail etc for something as rough as a chisel. Still amazing how they do/did it though. Like the guys who make Ice sculptures, how di you visualise what your making and how can you tell which bit's are going to be what and which bits you can chop off. </p> <p> </p> <p>Meh! skilled bastards!</p> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.8&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.8"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_9"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_9"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Drew (X3N0PH0N)<span class="message_time">12 Aug 2007 11:20</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Woggy <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 11:22"></span></span> <span class="message_count">9 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.9">32980.9</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_8" target="_self">32980.8</a></div> <div class="message_body"> <p>Please do not ever compare Bernini with ice sculptors ever again <span class="emoticon e_tear_confused" title=":'S"><span class="e__">:'S</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span class="emoticon e_tear_confused" title=":'S"><span class="e__">:'S</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span class="emoticon e_crying" title=":(("><span class="e__">:((</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p>(aye though, amazing intricacy in that thing)</p> </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.9&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.9"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a32980_10"></a><div class="message" id="message_32980_10"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Woggy<span class="message_time">12 Aug 2007 11:24</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Drew (X3N0PH0N) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 12 Aug 2007 11:24"></span></span> <span class="message_count">10 of 23</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.10">32980.10</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=32980.1#a32980_9" target="_self">32980.9</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Ha, I wasn't comparing them dude, just saying how do all sculptery people visualise what they're doing. They're far too clever for their own good. All sculpters should be against the wall before they turn on us! that manthorp's probably spying on us too! </div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=32980.10&return_msg=32980.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="32980.10"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="message_page_footer"> <ul> <li class="right_col"><form accept-charset="utf-8" method="get" action="lmessages.php" target="_self"><input type="hidden" name="webtag" id="webtag" class="bhinputtext" value="DEFAULT" dir="ltr" /><input type="hidden" name="msg" id="msg" class="bhinputtext" value="32980.11" dir="ltr" /><input type="submit" name="submit" id="keep_reading" value="Keep reading…" class="button" /></form></li> </ul> </div> </div> </body>