Services
CUSTOM-MADE WORK, FOR UNIQUE CREATIONS
I CARRY OUT YOUR PROJECTS ON DEMAND AND TO MEASURE. THE PRODUCTION IS ENTIRELY HANDMADE. EACH OBJECT IS A UNIQUE PIECE WHOSE CHARACTERISTICS ARE DEFINED TOGETHER AT THE TIME OF THE ORDER. HERE IS A NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF THE SERVICES I OFFER:
Scabbards
I make the scabbard you need for your sword, dagger, knife... A custom-made product to highlight your most beautiful pieces.
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Shields
Leather goods
Escarcelles, boiled leather boxes,... I carry out all kinds of leatherwork according to your wishes.
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Enameling
You wish a reproduction or a creation of a buckle, a jewel?
Don't hesitate any longer!
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Brass
My work process
Scabbards
All scabbards are made from limewood slats for the structure. Depending on the desired level of authenticity the gluing method can vary: bone glue or modern glue.
The covering is carried out with several layers. First an intermediate layer of linen coated with bone glue and then covered with vegetable-tanned leather or rawhide (dyed,
patinated...). Optional: Embossing, chasing, or painted decorations.
The scabbard can be provided with a harness, buckling elements* corresponding to the desired period and a custom-made chape.
*For all metal elements it is possible to add decorative elements such as embossing, engraving, enamelling, damascening, ... and to apply finishes such as silvering, gilding,
tinning or various patinas (on estimate).
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Shields
All shields are assembled from limewood planks (plywood is not used). Depending on the desired level of authenticity the gluing method can vary: bone glue or modern glue.
Covering is done with several layers of coated linen canvas or raw skin, front and back, or a combination of both, depending on demand.
The heraldic motif is hand-painted on canvas or rawhide coated with "gesso", and may use "historical" pigment-based paint or acrylic colours depending on the desired level of
authenticity and usage. A highlighting can also be done.
The shields can be delivered raw, simply coated and primed, or already armoured, equipped or not with straps and guige (adapted to each order and function of use).
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Leather goods
All my leather goods are made from traditionally tanned leathers selected by me in European tanneries. I mainly use two types of leather:
- Vegetable-tanned (tannins)
- Mineral Tanned (alum)
All seams are hand sewn with waxed linen thread.
Depending on the desired level of historicity the leathers can be dyed with natural dyes (vegetable-based, oxides, etc...) or "modern" dyes. Decorative elements can be added:
- Decorations in embossing, chasing, or painted patterns
- Metal elements (buckles, bezants, etc...)
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Enamelling
Enamelling consists of vitrifying finely ground coloured powders* and making them adhere to a metallic support by firing at high temperature (600 to 900°C). This technique also called
"grand feu enamels" is the traditional technique that I use in my workshop.
I use two techniques for the realization of my enamels:
CHAMPLEVÉ
Cavities are dug into the thickness of the metal to obtain the desired pattern. The enamel is then put inside the cavities. The coloured powders are then fired to fix them to the metal ( see above). Then the enamel is sanded more and more finely in order to polish the piece. Finally, a gilding gives the piece its final aspect. Champlevé is the technique used in the Limousin enamels of the Middle Ages.
CLOISONNÉ
Unlike Champlevé, where the motif is dug into the mass, cloisonné enamel consists of fixing thin gold, silver or copper partitions to the metal support by soldering. The resulting
partitions form a network of cells that hold the enamel in the desired position. The enamelling and finishing are the same as for the champlevé technique. Note that this technique has
been known since antiquity.
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Brass & Dinanderie
Dinanderie refers to the manufacture of objects from metal sheets (brass, copper, bronze, mild steel).
I make this type of objects for my scabbards (chapes, sometimes the lockets). The utensils and the civil and military decorative elements (crests, pen holders...) fall into this
category. In general the elements are cold-formed by beating on a lead heap.
If the part is made up of several elements, they are then joined together by a silver solder. Finishing is done with a lime before being mirror polished or satin-finished. It is also
possible to make a gilding, silvering or tin plating type finish.
The vast majority of the chapes preserved in the archaeological collections of museums have been made using this process. I use this technique in my workshop, each bouterolle I make
is therefore unique, custom-made and adapted to the scabbard. I do not sell chapes alone.
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MAKE AN ORDER
I WORK ON DEMAND AND MAKE YOUR SHIELD, SCABBARD OR ANY OTHER OBJECT ACCORDING TO MY OWN SOURCES OR ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS TRANSMITTED BY YOU. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH REALIZATION DEPEND OF COURSE ON THE DESIRED USE.
PRICES
Cost depends on all the elements mentioned and therefore on its use and the degree of historicity. An estimate will be made on request according to the desired characteristics.
- Scabbards from 600€
- Shields from 500€
Manufacturing lead times
For sword scabbards, from 3 to 4 months from the reception of the weapon in my workshop and on condition that you have reserved a manufacturing slot at the moment the order for the sword was
placed.
For all other orders, from 4 to 10 months depending on the characteristics requested.
Conditions
To place an order or reserve a production slot, a deposit is required. The remaining amount must to be paid just before shipment.
Contact
DOMINIQUE HUMBERT - Artisanat Historique
PHONE : (+33) 06 34 11 58 06
E-MAIL : pro@humbertdominique.fr
FRANCE
