Hi guys,
Now, here is a Valsgarde inspired helm made by my friend and fellow forumite Paul Holwell. Modelled to stunning effect by yours truly.Lol!
To put things into perspective this is also his first ever helm attempt, (he normally makes swords), it is also the first time he has ever beaten sheet metal.
The helm was inspired by the works of Ivor Lawton and Thorkil, courtesy of Dave Huggins who owns helms from both makers. The fittings (eyebrows, crest) are based on the V8 helm, but the helm is essentially conjectural, but leaning towards the imagery represented on the Torslunda press blech dies. hence the inclusion of Cheek plates.
The helm is heat blued, which has achieved a lustrous bluey/ gun metal finish.
The eyebrows were hand carved, the crest terminal 'heads' were cast from a master which Paul carved, the crest is hand formed in one piece from 3mm sheet brass with the vane attached separately by rivets.
For any English Living Historians out there, who will be attending The Original re enactors Market this Sunday, I will have the helm with me to drool over! So give me a shout.
Paul is a friend of Wulfheodenas and as such has promised 1st refusal to one of our members. But shortly he will be posting pics of the helm himself on the makers and manufacturers forum. Any requests for commissions etc, should be broached on that thread, to Paul directly.
Paul wants to do an accurate pres blech helm at some point, personally i can't wait to see that one.
In my opinion Paul has really grasped the essence of the theme perfectly, he did his own research but was big enough to accept advice and guidance from both myself and Dave Huggins.
from a personal and purely selfish point of view I would be proud to have this helm gracing our groups displays,where it would not look sad or out of place alongside the works of Ivor lawton, Dave Roper, Gzrzegorz Kulig and Tim Noyes.
Well done Paul mate.
Bruce
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