As
an alternative to a capital on the Minstrel harp, the scroll is very
attractive. It also permits a better joint between the neck and the
pillar which is an important structural consideration. It is also
suitable for the neck of the Paraguayan harp.
The
best way to draw a regular scroll or volute is to apply the method
used by the architects of ancient Greece to make the heads of the
columns (or capitals) of their Ionic order. It can all be done with
dividers or compasses, and draw it on transparent paper first and
transfer it to the wood by means of carbon paper.
fig. 2.9 - click for a larger view |
First
draw a small square 4mm by 4mm and extend the sides as in Fig. 2.9.
Mark the extended sides A, B, C, D, and the four corners of the square
1, 2, 3, 4. Put the point of your compasses at corner No. 1 of the
small square, open the legs 4mm and draw an arc from corner No. 4
to the extended side A. Open the compasses to 8mm, and place the point
at corner No. 2. Draw the arc extended line A to extended line B.
Open the compasses to 12mm, place the point at corner No. 3 and draw
are extended side B to extended line C, and so on. The radii are:
4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, etc (being an arithmetical progression).
fig. 2.10 - click for a larger view |
Trace
two volutes (one reversed) on two wood blocks, 120mm by 120mm and
cut the outline as in Fig. 2.10. Now glue them on the neck so that
the end of the spiral may be extended with a pencil line to meet the
line of the tuning pegs. When the glue is dry, start work on the dotted
line of the spiral with a gouge, taking great care not to touch the
line. A fairly flat gouge is used for this grounding and the perpendicular
tool cuts must be at least 2mm away from the dotted line. The roughing-in
is done with the same flat gouge and the final setting-in with the
chisel while the paring along the dotted line is best done at the
end.
The
important point is that the outside of the spiral should end flush
with the wood of the neck in a very gradual curve. It is great fun
to make a good scroll, and it does not take very long. On the flat
part of the base of the Minstrel harp, two Adam-style acanthus leaves
could be glued on after carving.
If
you do not feel confident enough to tackle two identical acanthus
leaves, you may like to know that they can now be purchased in DIY
shops ["do-it-yourself"] ready for application.
They are made of plastic, of course, but when they are gilded they
are quite effective and should not be frowned on.
