And So The Odyssey Of My Seals Ends (Picture Heavy)

[kiavonne]

It began several years ago (not long after joining FPN), I began my quest to have a set of seals commemorating a specific point in my life with specific and personal meaning. I also wanted a seal to remember my mother by, and a signet ring with my assumed arms.

 

I completed the set of six desk seals, including my arms, a little while back. All that remained was my desire for a seal to remember my mom by, and a signet ring also with my arms. These pieces would be passed to my brother and his daughter after I'm gone (many years hence, I hope).

 

I dipped into the remnants of my meager 401k for this. For the seal, I commissioned a separate piece of artwork from an artist friend of mine. I posted about it when I received it a couple of months ago, it was beautifully done as a painting instead of just a regular pen and ink drawing. Using a photo of this artwork taken by the artist himself, I made the request for a desk seal from Dexter Rings and Engraving, the only company I have used in this adventure for commemorative pieces, and the only one I would recommend to anyone else looking for a most special, hand engraved piece, not the average class ring, signet ring, or laser engraved market seal. At the same time, I also requested a titanium seal ring with my arms. I hope that my brother will take this ring later.

 

These are the last pieces I will commission. There won't be any more in the foreseeable future.

 

Both pieces arrived today. I sat down with my camera and a red velvet backdrop, and opened my seals, completing my journey. I marveled at the engraving detail on both pieces. The ring surface is only 16 x 14 mm, and the desk seal is a 25 mm diameter coin. It was difficult to photograph them with my little Canon Powershot point and shoot, but I think I got most the detail in there.

 

Although these two pieces are the most special to me, the desk seal is the one that made me cry.

 

I'm done, now.

 

 

The Dexter artwork proofs and the original painting for the desk seal

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Q2dVDvs/0/L/Rodgers_coat_of_arms-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-W5Hr8cL/0/L/Rodgers-NITA-revised-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-b6hKkkg/0/L/Nita-L.jpg

 

 

My ring and desk seal (Dexter provides a wax impression using the ring and/or seal with their pieces)

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-d7q6nJT/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2001-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-XrqXQJh/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2002-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-7xzvrRr/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2003-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-hVLmVW5/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2004-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-m3XmCPm/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2005-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-N6Qt5c3/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2006-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-Zn7hSzH/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2007-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vf6H38C/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2008-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-vJWwVqh/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2009-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-JrKbnDk/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2010-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-VthwQjD/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2011-L.jpg

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/Wax-Seals/Dexter-Seals/i-6TCprqg/0/L/20140415%20Dexter%2012-L.jpg

 

 

And, my mother's favorite poem, which is where the idea for the seal came from

 

Abou Ben Adhem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

- James Henry Leigh Hunt

 

[Sinistral1]

How beautiful, and very touching. I suspect your mom and the rest are smiling with love over this gift you have given your family for the ages.

[Uncle Red]

Thank you for sharing these seals with us.

[FloatingFountain]

Congratulations

[MisterBoll]

Wonderful work. Thanks for posting.

[Octo]

Gorgeous, both of them and both very meaningful.

 

Because they will be passed down the generations, you might want to always keep a copy of the poem with the one of your mother so the meaning of the seal won't become lost- perhaps the poem engraved in a small plaque.

[kiavonne]

Gorgeous, both of them and both very meaningful.

 

Because they will be passed down the generations, you might want to always keep a copy of the poem with the one of your mother so the meaning of the seal won't become lost- perhaps the poem engraved in a small plaque.

 

I may do that, Octo. Thank you for the suggestion.

[my63]

The craftsmanship is outstanding the story is wonderful

Thanks for sharing

Michael

[kiavonne]

Thank you, everyone. The seal is extra special to me.

 

As a post script to my original post, Dexter Rings and Engraving just featured the seal on their website.

[GutSchrift]

These are absolutely incredible examples of the highest craftsmanship and creativity. I am so impressed by your thoughtful and beautiful efforts!

[WayTooManyHobbies]

Truly beautiful work - you've created a worthy heirloom and tribute to your mother.

[inkypete]

Wow - great work and a fantastic story. Happy sealing!!!!

[kiavonne]

I picked up the framed painting today. It didn't photograph very well, but it really is lovely in person. The mat is actually a rich brown linen with a hint of copper (archival, of course), and the frame itself is dark brown with hints of red, and with UV glass.

 

 

 

http://kiavonne.smugmug.com/My-Commissioned-Art/John-Kohlepp-Jr-Wystro/i-nsqddfx/0/L/Kohlepp%20Nita%20Framed-L.jpg

Edited April 16, 2014 by kiavonne

[mm1624124]

What an inspirational journey. It brought tears of joy to my eyes.

 

Give All to Love

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Give all to love;

Obey thy heart;

Friends, kindred, days,

Estate, good-frame,

Plans, credit and the Muse,—

Nothing refuse.

’T is a brave master;

Let it have scope:

Follow it utterly,

Hope beyond hope:

High and more high

It dives into noon,

With wing unspent,

Untold intent:

But it is a god,

Knows its own path

And the outlets of the sky.

It was never for the mean;

It requireth courage stout.

Souls above doubt,

Valor unbending,

It will reward,—

They shall return

More than they were,

And ever ascending.

Leave all for love;

Yet, hear me, yet,

One word more thy heart behoved,

One pulse more of firm endeavor,—

Keep thee to-day,

To-morrow, forever,

Free as an Arab

Of thy beloved.

Cling with life to the maid;

But when the surprise,

First vague shadow of surmise

Flits across her bosom young,

Of a joy apart from thee,

Free be she, fancy-free;

Nor thou detain her vesture’s hem,

Nor the palest rose she flung

From her summer diadem.

Though thou loved her as thyself,

As a self of purer clay,

Though her parting dims the day,

Stealing grace from all alive;

Heartily know,

When half-gods go,

The gods arrive.