Inner-Row Spare Jumper - Scimitar
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Carvers: Peter Hlus & Don Reimer
Painters:Donna Johnson
Size: 36" chest to rump
Status: finished
Sponsor: available
Location: Foundation Office
Peter Hlus and Don Reimer have teamed up to carve Scimitar. Both new carvers, their first question of their instructor was, "How do we do it?" The response was, "Carve away everything that isn't a horse." This seemingly non-answer is actually quite accurate since the carver must know not only what to remove, but what to leave in place.
In a process referred to as "rough carving," the square edges of each of the eight body pieces are first removed in an effort to get each block to an approximation of its final shape. Although the carver next uses a succession of chisels and gouges to streamline and complete the details of each piece, the "carver's eye" is the most important tool used throughout the project.
According to Sherrell S. Anderson in his book "Carousel Horses," "A carousel horse is not an exact anatomical model of a horse, but a caricature, rather like a doll. An exact replica of a horse would be very bulky, with a massive muscular body and an apparently disproportionate, small head and skinny legs. Carousel horse proportions are modified, much like those of a doll, to make the head and neck larger and more visually appealing. But although proportions may vary somewhat from life, the more accurate the placement of muscles and anatomical details, the more graceful and appealing the final horse will be. Proper contour is essential. If too little wood is removed, the horse will appear boxy and lifeless. If too much wood is removed, the horse will be too fragile to be used and may not support the weight of the rider."
In order to survive years of hard riding, decorative objects on the horse must not be overly high, or so thin and fragile that they will chip and break easily. Such relief items should be smooth and rounded so that riders and their clothes do not catch on the trappings.
Lauren Baker has based Scimitar's design on a Charles Carmel prancer that is in a private collection in the United States.