Over the next few weeks, I will be adding more pictures of my historical armour and reproductions. I have been making armour for about 16 years; although seriously making higher end living history/museum quality for about 10 years. Click here for pictures of leg armour in progress. During that time I have been privileged to have physically handled, studied, and even cleaned actual historical pieces from the late Middle Ages, Renaissance, and early Colonial period; roughly the l4th century through the 18th.
I have lectured on arms and armor, Medieval history and the Knight for about 12 years. In that time I have lectured, presented my work, or assisted at the Smithsonian International Gallery, the Walter's Art Gallery, the Corcoran, the Washington National Cathedral, the MCI Corporation, and the personal request of Vint Cerf, a 'father of the Internet.' I also lecture to hundreds of schools annually; having given over 1000 shows since 1990.
HISTORICAL ARMOUR
My library of arms and armour texts contains a little over 300 distinct texts including some 75-100 of the Osprey Man-at-Arms books. A number of my texts are excellent laser grade photocopies of out-of-print and/or foreign texts. Some of these texts date to the late 19th century and a number show arms and armour that appears to have been destroyed in one or both of the devastating World Wars. I possess a number of cross-cultural works that include a substantial series of texts on Asian, Middle Eastern, and Steppe or Oriental texts ('oriental' does not technically mean 'asian').
One of my academic accomplishments prior to the internet was to create a very large series of arms and armour photo files that is divided by centuries and in some cases, decades. Often a single piece of armour has been photographed at different angles in its photographic history. Yet those various photographs have often been distributed among completely different texts over the years. I made laser grade photocopies of these photos/angles in their respective texts. By compiling multiple photos/angles of a piece as found in different texts, I am able to understand its true shape and thus execute a proportionate, thus accurate reproduction. This armour file approach is also ideal in comparing similar styles of arms and armour pertaining to decade, century and region. It also allows me to grasp the subtle -and overall- evolution of this fascinating subject including internal and external influences: no man nor culture is an island!
While you see some photos of my work, they are hardly exhaustive. Most represent photos during a period or time in which I had the clarity of thought to actually photograph my own work....brilliant for sure! Invariably my work is commissioned based so I do not have a catalog per se.....but if you want to discuss an idea, email me.
OTHER FREQUENTLY OFFERED SERVICES:
PRODUCTION
--with advanced knowledge (usually 4-6 months due to current scheduale) our shop has the capacity to create and reproduce costumes and props for movie or TV productions.
BODY CASTING and MANNEQUINs
--we offer body casting and mannequin services for costume creation and display. We have work with professional actors on several occasions and I, myself, am also a professional actor. We are discrete and friendly, having worked with male and female actors and private clients.
SCULPTING:
--we can sculpt pieces in clay and utilize hybrid techniques and materials to save time and money.
CONSULTATION
--we enjoy both historical and movie oriented projects. With our experience, references and shop flexibility, we uniquely able to provide historical, fantasy and science fiction costume consultation and have several film and TV projects to our credit. For more information on us see BIO page..
We can produce period furniture with custom forged hinges, locks and nails!
I have found myself drawn toward experimental concepts, especially sketches showing no longer extant armour styles. Eastern European equipment has me quite fascinated. This interest largely because the Cold War effects have, until recently, largely 'blocked out' the light for interactive serious research in that region. I am also drawn toward post-Roman or Migration era equipment (I refuse to call it the "Dark Ages"--for this is a weak excuse for real academic scholarship that has proven both the so called Dark Ages and the subsequent Middle Ages to be anything but backward. Since Reformation and Enlightenment leaders sought to distinuish themselves from the earlier 'dark centuries', the stereotype has endured only to be dredged up in poorly researched movies....perish the thought!
My personal interests are quite varied. I enjoy the overall evolution of historical armour, particularly the curious recycling of bio-technological niches that appear to occur; that which can be invented, has already been invented....just remarketed and repackaged ! I will be publishing several papers I wrote between my latter collegiate and graduate school years. I possess a BA in history from George Mason University and am currently in hiatus as a graduate student at Georgetown University.
Above and right detail:
Late 14th century. Based on several Hungarian and Czechoslovakian 'anime' cuirasses. Bascinets of the period also show riveted multi piece construction. I will probably add a scale skirt or fault to this breastplate.
