I’ve been getting my hands dirty! I’ve made a large ampersand from clay which is in the process of air drying. I’m so pleased with it I wanted to share it with you. Eventually, it will be fired and white glazed, which will allow the quality of the clay (krank clay – it’s very gritty) to come through, giving it a sort of toasted appearance.
It stands about 300mm high, and is around 55mm thick but will shrink by about 20% when dried and fired. It weighs quite a bit, but is hollow, having been formed out of slabs around 15mm thick. It is as neat on the inside as it is on the outside too – it looked nice in consruction, so I photographed it then:
And here’s a closer view. The holes and gaps are there to allow air to circulate and prevent empty enclosures which could crack when firing.
I’ll add more when it’s complete…
Hmmm. Graphic designers are known for their trainspotterish habits of identifying typefaces (just ask Mrs. Lestaret!) so go on then; what typeface is it? First person to answer correctly wins this unique handmade letterform (H50mm, W55mm, D25mm) which will feature in a new series of upcoming entries.
Yes, it is a bit hairy.
ADDITIONAL Just to clarify that it’s the ampersand’s typeface I want you to identify, and not the ‘a’ which is Helvetica Black, obviously…
EVEN MORE ADDITIONAL! This has just been linked to from NOTCOT - ( number #21734) …thanks Jake…
Tags: ampersand, letterforms, Typography
May 14, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Skinner, is this what you made out of your a hole???!
May 14, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Yes. My hairy a-hole… however did you recognise it?
May 14, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Also, the typeface of the A or the ampersand? Or is it the same one, and I’ve just gone and embarrassed myself already?!
May 15, 2009 at 7:24 am
Just the ampersand Norm, just the ampersand…
May 14, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Is the ‘a’ Bastardized Bold Helvetica Neue?
May 15, 2009 at 7:28 am
Nope, Helvetica Black. Just the ampersand to identify…
May 14, 2009 at 11:36 pm
My first guess would be Baskerville in Bold. But I’m not completely sure with the line weights, and if the ‘a’ is also of the same typeface then it’s definitely not.
You should put flowers in the ampersand when it has been fired.
May 15, 2009 at 7:23 am
Good try, but not Baskerville…
May 15, 2009 at 10:36 am
Clarenden?
May 15, 2009 at 10:40 am
Oops, Clarendon?
May 15, 2009 at 11:38 am
Im in agreement! It’s definitely Clarendon!
May 16, 2009 at 9:19 am
Nice try both of you, but it is definitely not Clarendon… Time to explore the hidden depths of your font folders!
May 16, 2009 at 8:26 pm
[...] artist Lestaret, who created this BRILLIANT piece, explains the project on his blog. I’ve been getting my hands [...]
May 16, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Nice, I so want to start making dinnerware with ampersands. Looks like some kind of fibers instead of a paper clay on the a???
May 17, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Dinnerware with ampersands – cool – I expect to be chasing peas around my plate for a long time!
The ‘a’ is made from a cast (which will be included soon on the blog) and it is made from regular builders plaster mixed with jute fibres.
May 17, 2009 at 1:00 am
Random guess but, Mrs Eaves?
May 17, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Nope, sorry…
May 17, 2009 at 7:10 am
Century Schoolbook Bold?
May 17, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Nope. Good guess though…
May 17, 2009 at 7:40 am
Hello! is it Georgia?
May 17, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hello there. No, sorry…
May 17, 2009 at 11:35 am
Haha, what a great idea
Thinks I need to show this to my wife, who is a graphic designer!
May 17, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Glad you like it Mattias, keep checking in on the blog as I have been making lots of letterforms out of all kinds of stuff…
Say hi to the wife!
May 17, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I say Rosewood Fill
May 17, 2009 at 7:36 pm
We have a winner! Rosewood Fill it is! Well done Kristie, whas this a guess or are you a real typeaholic? Please watch for the next post…
May 17, 2009 at 6:56 pm
http://welovetypography.com/
May 17, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Oh Jake! Just for being my best (and only) publisist, I shall award you a special prize…
May 17, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Thanks! I guess I am a real typeaholic, at least that’s what my husband says.
May 19, 2009 at 2:00 am
Hi,
its Clarendon aint it.
May 19, 2009 at 7:17 am
Sorry Alex, but the typeface has already been identified. Please see the previous comments. Thanks for taking part though…
May 28, 2009 at 2:57 am
[...] clay ampersand by Lestaret { via NOTCOT [...]
August 25, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Brilliant! I am a little bit obsessed with ampersands at the moment and found this post whilst trawling the internet! I’m guessing it’s been finished by now…
August 28, 2009 at 9:55 am
Hi, yes this is finished and I haven’t posted anything about it! It’s sat upon my kitchen table looking lovely as we speak… I’ll post something new next week.