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During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Everyone is in for a real treat. Not only will you be getting an advance preview of the 2013 fund raising auction items here, but you will have an opportunity to get to know these artists, learn a little about them and how they created this fine array of items for the auction. Individual works will be added to this site as they are received, so visit often to see these new exciting creations.
Trade Silver Wrist Band by Wayne & Marilyn Holcombe
Brooklyn, Michigan residents Wayne and Marilyn Holcombe are silversmiths by trade and operate XX TRADE SILVER.
XX Trade Silver began 10 years ago when their close friend, Chuck Leonard, a premier silversmith taught them the art of silversmithing. Wayne chuckles when he relates how it all started.
“I was involved with competition black powder shooting and Marilyn accompanied me to a lot of shoots through the years. One day Marlyn mentioned to Chuck Leonard that she got bored at the shoots so Chuck told her that he would show her something that will make it a little more interesting. At that time Marilyn started her study of silversmithing and I came under the spell, too. Under the guidance of Chuck, we have developed our art, started our company and have become regulars on the Living History and Trade Fair circuits. When we’re not on the road, we call Brooklyn, Michigan home.”
Before the husband and wife team learned the silversmithing trade and launched their business, Wayne worked with master gunmaker and wood carver John Bivins in Raleigh, North Carolina during the ’90s. Together they did museum restoration and carved colonial period high-art wood installations for museums and private clients.
After returning to Michigan, Marilyn and Wayne began their research and schooling in the art of silversmithing and both attribute Chuck Leonard as their inspiration to become silversmiths.
They work in sterling silver specializing in the re-creation of authentic trade silver pieces from the early 18th century to present. All of their silver is period correct, by using the same tools and processes as the original silversmiths. They also create their own designs upon request. And as Wayne and Marilyn put it, “We do lots of custom orders.”
To see more of Wayne and Marilyn’s work visit their website: http://www.xxtradesilver.com
The silver wrist band is an interpretation from one that came from a site in East Tennessee. It has the same type of markings found on the trade silver “shells or “moons” and has the words “South Carolina” engraved on it which could be possibly an item from a South Carolina treaty with the Creeks and Cherokees. It would make a nice companion piece to the “South Carolina” trade silver “Shell” made by the Wayne and Marilyn and also offered in the auction.
Click here to see more images of the Trade Silver Wrist Band by Wayne & Marilyn Holcombe
The photo and text used here are from the CLA article with the same name. The sole purpose here is to benefit the CLA Auction in August. — editor