The altar build is slowly showing signs of life. In the last post, Altar Joinery: Making Connections, I delved into a little history about two great empires from pre-colonial Africa. There had to be evidence that would show that ancient African craftsmen, in particular carpenters and woodworkers, used joinery in their work. Did they or didn’t they? Evidence seems to indicate that they did. But shouldn’t we know that?
There is much more to learn about the skill and knowledge of these (mostly) men as heritage items and other treasures are returned to their countries of origin.
This is why the return of looted artifacts is vital to the healing and encouragement of a people themselves dispersed all over the earth.
It is something to think about as I continue with the altar project build.
Part 3
The Build
To Do List:
- finish prep – ✔️
- cut panels for sides, top, and bottom – ✔️
- cut dovetails – ✔️
- insert cleats or cut groove for shelf
- drill hole in front of door for door pull
- make a 2″-3″ apron on bottom of cabinet for trim and door clearance
- prepare “brick” trim for cabinet front
- prepare paint for trim: I like these colors for the project that were also used for enhancing the features of masks and weapons. I will prepare a brownish red paint stain to enhance the mahogany to mimic iron oxide and white paint to mimic kaolin (the same material used in making porcelain)
- install painted trim around opening.
I’m still thinking out loud. Stay tuned!
Baadaye.
♥️ Shirley J
Featured image: Queen Mother pendant mask of Idia; Iyoba of Court of Benin;16th Century; Ivory, iron, copper; Metropolitan Museum of Art.
