The Barony of Ildhafn

CategoryEx nihilo (from nothing) EntrantLihua Li EntryBamboo Sewing Needle circa. Son Dynasty (960-1279) Sewing needles have been used for centuries – archeologists have determined that humans have been crafting garments for roughly 40 000 years; with early sewing needles being discovered and dated to 20 000 years ago (https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/fashion-history-sewing-needles/) In …

CategoryTerra incognita (unknown ground). EntrantLihua Li Entry Candle Clock based on a description of a 520AD poem by Chinese scholar You Jiangu.  Although the origins of the “Candle Clock” are unknown, the earliest mention of such clocks was in a Chinese poem by You Jiangu (520AD).  While I was unable to …

CategoryVerba volant, sed scripta manent (spoken words fly away, written words remain). EntrantLihua Li EntryChinese Ink on Calico A Chinese ink painting inspired by Chinese art from the Song Dynasty (1160-1225) which depicts both figures, landscape and written word (usually in the form of songs or poems).  Media used: Calico …

CategoryActa non verba (deeds not words)Finish a project you’ve been telling yourself you’d get around to EntrantMelissa Wijffels EntryHandspun, Handwoven Cloth This project has been in paused several times, and I kept telling myself I would finish it, and for this challenge, I finally have! Early medieval textiles in the …

CategoryEx nihilo (from nothing)Make an item from the very beginning, starting with raw materials EntrantMelissa Wijffels EntryBurnished blackware pottery Having learned that most pottery in medieval Europe and beyond was unglazed earthenware, and that it was not only possible, but common early period for earthenware to be fired in a …

CategoryAlea iacta est (the die is cast)Make something relating to period games, chance, or fate EntrantMaster Edward Braythwayte EntryHerkle I have take a modern shape and colour matching game and created an heraldic version of it. It can be played with 2 or more players but it is best not …