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jana

Wax Tablet Case

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This is one of the projects that I entered this weekend for an Arts and Science Competition for my barony. It is a three part project that involved metal work, woodworking and of course, leather work. The case was done without using a swivel knife, just beveling and backgrounding and was based on research that was done on historical sources. It was hand sewn with an awl and harness needles. I enjoyed working on this project with its various phases.

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That looks like a lovely job. I'm sure you had a huge sense of pleasure when you looked at the end result.

What reference sources did you use for this?

Ray

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What reference sources did you use for this?

Thank you! Yes, it is one of those projects that you look at and feel completely satisfied at the end result. I used a lot of internet sources from various museums and the like, but my primary source for the case came from a great book called "Purses in Pieces" by Olaf Goubitz. This book has a lot of information on belt pouches from archaeological digs in the Netherlands. There is a couple of chapters on different types of cases and the author gives a good bit of information on wax tablet cases.

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Jana,

I really like that case, it came out great. I have to ask, what is a wax tablet case???

Milli

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Jana,

I have to ask, what is a wax tablet case???

A wax tablet is a historical writing pad!! The wood(or bone or ivory) was recessed to hold beeswax and you would write using the stylus. To keep everything together you would need the case.

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lovely work!

while searching through museum photographs of old leather work, i found a few of those interesting little wax tablets about 2 years ago. i thought it would make a good project then, but i never got around to it.

i'm glad you did. you've done a wonderful job recreating a beautiful yet practical item from history.

ken

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I really like it, and it's cool to learn a little piece of history. I can think of some things that a case like that could be used for now. Maybe for playing cards, or even to hold your bank cards and a little cash while traveling.

Milli

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Nicely done, I havent heard of these since I was in school.

That is a very elegent looking case. Just out of curiosity did you have a picture of the back of it by chance.

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... or even to hold your bank cards and a little cash while traveling.

Thank you! and I like your idea... I may have to look more seriously into "up-dating" ;)

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Nicely done, I havent heard of these since I was in school.

That is a very elegent looking case. Just out of curiosity did you have a picture of the back of it by chance.

The batteries on my camera died while taking the last of the pictures for the documentation... but I will take a picture as soon as I have more. Meanwhile, the back is plain and flat and you can tell I need more practice using an awl!! :P

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Really nice! How'd you do in the competition?

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Thank you! and I like your idea... I may have to look more seriously into "up-dating" ;)

You could say that they are "retro"

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Really nice! How'd you do in the competition?

LOL... Those silly people went and made me Baronial Arts and Science Champion!!!

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Nicely done, I havent heard of these since I was in school.

That is a very elegent looking case. Just out of curiosity did you have a picture of the back of it by chance.

:-) Were you in school in the 1400s? Just kidding - your statement sounded like 'we used to use these in school' - maybe I need my drugs.....

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The batteries on my camera died while taking the last of the pictures for the documentation... but I will take a picture as soon as I have more. Meanwhile, the back is plain and flat and you can tell I need more practice using an awl!! :P

I think we all do

:-) Were you in school in the 1400s? Just kidding - your statement sounded like 'we used to use these in school' - maybe I need my drugs.....

Nope missed the 1400's lol, I just have not heard hide nor hair any mention of these since history class. One of those things you learn about and then dont even think about for a few (or 20) years then bam here they are lol.

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LOL... Those silly people went and made me Baronial Arts and Science Champion!!!

Vivat and huzzah! (I don't know what the proper cheer is in Atenveldt...)

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Just out of curiosity did you have a picture of the back of it by chance.

MadMaxx, here is the picture you wanted to see.

C_back.JPG

post-10848-1247508692_thumb.jpg

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i thought it would make a good project then, but i never got around to it.

Ken, I would encourage you to go ahead and give it a try....the interesting thing about re-creating period leatherwork is that it brings home the fact that we are definitely keeping the art alive. What is old is new again!!

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nice job, the tablets are a little easier to read if you mix some black pigment into the wax, bone black from an art store is non toxic, reasonably period, and works well.

Made a few of them to sell at SCA events, not particularly successful though. I always thought about making a medieval palm pilot with wax tablet, abacus (yes they used them in Europe too, that's how you add and subtract with roman numerals) and sundial, all bound together like a book.

Edited by fishguy

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nice job, the tablets are a little easier to read if you mix some black pigment into the wax, bone black from an art store is non toxic, reasonably period, and works well.

I wanted to add black to the beeswax but the only thing I had on hand was black watercolor and when added to the hot wax it just beaded up on the bottom of the pan and did not mix, the reading I did suggested lamp black. Is bone black a powder?

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I wanted to add black to the beeswax but the only thing I had on hand was black watercolor and when added to the hot wax it just beaded up on the bottom of the pan and did not mix, the reading I did suggested lamp black. Is bone black a powder?

Yup: http://naturalpigments.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=480-40S

You can get lamp black from the same source: http://naturalpigments.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=480-50S

Edited by tashabear

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Thank you Tashabear, that is what I need!

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Thank you Tashabear, that is what I need!

Google is my bitch!

(I should just make that a sig line...)

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A HOOBAH from the Midrealm.....

I want.

So what are your duties - New Baronial Arts and Science Champion (ours has to make a project for the Barony)

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A HOOBAH from the Midrealm.....

I want.

LOL :eusa_naughty: It needs to stick around for Kingdom A&S in October....

So what are your duties - New Baronial Arts and Science Champion (ours has to make a project for the Barony)

The same, Along with helping co-ordinate A&S night each month and Co-autocrating next years event. There are murmurs about having a competition between the Baronial Champions at Kingdom A&S... So far just murmurs

Edited by jana

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