Bill Dawson | Shibuichi Pear Spindle

Artist:  Bill Dawson

Materials: The spindle whorl is forged from kouroshibuichi (5%Ag), with the grape vine of inlayed and carved copper, the pear branches of inlayed shibuichi (25%Ag), with the pear blossoms of fine silver and fine gold.  The stave is carved from Port Orford Cedar.

Dimensions: Diameter, 2 1/2"(65mm) - Stave length, 8" (210mm)

Origin of featured materials: Shining Wave Metals / Phillip Baldwin

Story behind the piece:  The Japanese alloys used in this piece I hammered out of bars from Shining Wave.  I hammered the whorl into a disc that is thicker in the center, tapering out to rather thin before thickening the edge.  I then carved sockets and inlayed the branches both of pear and grape.  Once secured in the background, I carved and stoned these to shape.  The gold and silver for the flowers I attached using nunome inlay.  After a great deal of final shaping and texturing, I gave the whorl a patina, using rokusho, which I also obtained from Shining Wave.

One of the things that I always enjoyed when visiting Phil at his studio was walking in his garden along the trellises which hold grape vines, and apple and pear trees that splay out to create a fence.  I wanted to make a piece using traditional materials and techniques that speaks to that place, and the memories I have from there.    

I first began to explore the polychrome possibilities of metalworking many years ago, with a collaborative project with the enamellist, L.A. Fine.  It involved a bimetal tiger with the gold carved through to expose the blackened silver.  As time has gone by, and I have learned more about inlay techniques, and traditional patinas, I have moved more and more into working with Japanese Alloys.  Phil was always very encouraging and supportive, no matter the project.

Artist Bio: Bill Dawson began his professional career in metalwork when he took a position at the University of Oregon as a blacksmith, where he crafted tools for the jewelry studio.  Bill is less concerned with whether a piece of art is representational, metaphorical, realistic, or abstract; instead, he seeks an underlying creative honesty in the work. This honesty of expression serves as the foundation of his art, his teaching, and his life.

This piece is part of, From Wave to Shining Wave: a Celebration of Phil Baldwin and Shining Wave Metals Baldwin. The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Seattle Metals Guild. 5% of sales will be donated to help fund an endowment at Pendland in Phillip Baldwin’s name. Learn more HERE. All work will remain on exhibit through July 20, 2025.

📂 [View the entire collection HERE ]

ℹ️ [Learn more about the exhibition HERE]