Custom knife pair artistic display stand: Izanami-Izanagi

• Height (with knives): 13.25" (33.6 cm) Width (diagonally at base) 11.5" (29.2 cm)
• Weight (with knives): 9 lbs.
• Materials: Noreena Jasper gemstone, Nickel Magnesite gemstone, 304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel, Tulipwood hardwood, Paduk Hardwood, Baltic Brown Granite

Theme: Custom made for a beautiful pair of knives I made, Izanagi and Izanami, this stunning display stand is an involved piece of sculptural art. Made specially for the client who owns both of these beautiful knives, his idea was to elaborate the oriental motif of the knife pair, and my idea was to create a flowering representation of life, reflected in the Japanese mythology of these two divine beings who created the first land. Though the concept was at first a simple one, the difficulty of creation and construction of this challenging stand is masked by its natural arrangement and gentle curves and lines.

Construction: I wanted two rings of figured hardwood, each holding a pair of knives and a pair of sheaths at opposing yet complimentary angles. I chose striking South American Tulipwood hardwood for its rich color and texture and high hardness, durability, and longevity. The detailed ring construction required multiple layers of pocketed Tulipwood pieces, subsequently carved, milled, rounded and finished. I used a penetrating oil to bring out the color and seal the wood, with an additional hard coating of polished wax. The woods chosen for this project should darken a bit in time, ageing with a graceful, seasoned patina. The rings are mounted to the base of the stand through a round disc of Paduk hardwood, which sets off the vertical rings and relates to the round rings of large, feldspatic (feldspar) phenocrysts in the Brown Baltic Granite from Ylämaa, in eastern Finland. The polished granite protects the top of a table with inset rubber feet. Through the Tulipwood sheath rings I carefully milled offset holes to accommodate several polished 304 stainless steel risers, which support the upper ring tightly in an aloft suspension. At the summit of the upper ring, which holds the knives at the same complimentary angles as the sheaths, I placed two matching leaves of 304 stainless steel, planished, formed, welded and polished, holding two mosaic yin-yang carved and polished cabochons of Nickel Magnesite and Noreena Jasper gemstone to match the beautiful gemstone in the knife handles. The curvature of the leaf-cabochon accents mirror the gentle curve of the handles, and the curve of the sheaths at the belt loops.

This was a difficult piece to make, and I think it compliments the knives in a stunning display. The circular orbs, curves and forms all work well together, and the knives and sheaths are easily removed for inspection. What an honor for me to have clients who offer ideas and patronage, and I'm grateful for this opportunity to create!

Please click on these links to see more photographs, details, and specifications on the knives Izanami and Izanagi.

Thanks, J.P.!