form for thought

A favourite and incredibly important book in my collection is 'Form Emphasis for Metalsmiths' by the late silversmith Heikki Seppa.

Seppa was integral in the development of the technique of anticlastic raising during the 1970s, and instigated the emancipation of form for silversmiths from the classic aesthetic.  It was through his work that silversmiths were invited to think literally outside the cube, the cylinder, the dome.  And it was through his mastering of the techniques that he was able to create totally, albeit a bit 70s looking, new form.

I can only dream of one day being (when I'm really old probably) as technically competent as he was, and in the meantime have experimented with my own take on his tutorial of techniques.

The most frequently looked at pages in his book are right at the back in his pictorial glossary.  Here, Seppa has detailed (with lovely little hand drawn doodles) some worldly forms and their nomenclature.

Here are some of them:

I find his connection between the forms and the derivatives of language fascinating.  It's just a lovely complete circle of visual form, historical symbolism and language development. 

Thanks Heikki, and you should all have this book on your shelf.