Ancient Column's of Antiquity ................... an Arts & Craft Topic' Athena' written and presented by Paul Howes

BB

Copyright Applies 29/07/2026

Ancient things from antiquity have always inspired me, i being the dreamer that i have always been.

Here we have an example whereby the loose arms were cemented into square sockets which were a huge part of the shoulders design. Being constructed around 500 BC, well they sure broke off in part's while others completely fell off. However after writing so, i find them in their own supportive function to be rather mysterious and quite beautiful in the highest degree of my imagination.                                        

And so i just had to make some while in the heat of such a burning summer, which i find is a glowing hot benefit for this my latest scratch build.                                                                                                                      

Even as a small nipper, i had always applied the Why Factor? When viewing ancient dilapidated buildings that are always in the motion it seems of falling apart.. 

i doubt that i will endeavour to build a complete ruined temple because i realise my own measure and  being almost 78 years of age, i therefore try to stop my imagination making appointments that my frail body cannot keep. 

But,here and now being able to do a little topic here brings me a certain kind of happinees!

And upon that mention i was soon about to fly upon this topic of Athena.

Although i only have one Pattern, showing the left leg forwards, i will have to make do without that of another silicone mould showing the right leg being displayed.                                                                     So it was i began to cast the mould up.  Athena! shown within the real photograph high above  i am sure with a smile or two will not mind at all.                                                                                                                                      

The Mould  

A ready made  silicone candle mould was soon converted to my need's by using a sharp blade craft knife that cut through the middle of her back then sliced it's way up from the bottom to top then across the top of the head. This made it flip open easily while removing some real lovely smooth supportive columns for my present needs of play.  Clamp's held the two sides of the slit together and kept it nicely in place while casting her up.

 Play Time mixing up the fine white powder with cold tap water arrived which i have always found it to be excellent high quality fun.  Yogurt pots were perfect in use as casting up ladles. And they sort of came in for free.

 A little spillage from the mould is expected and so a little allowance is added to counter for this.

After a one second fine misty spray i then poured the quick running mixture in. After a few minutes 5,or 6 of them, i strickled off the top of the mould which made it level. My Dear Mrs B, asked me where her best butter knife and spoon had gone? Opp's i replied with a giggle!  i must add here and now that the top of the silicone mould actually formed the bottom slab of each upright casting.

                                                                 A Bold Return From The Star's

Below there they are, Fred and MayBell, 

Who have become inseparable friends in spite of being different in make up and looks.

 They have had many adventures over the years,  Since they came my way,

While arriving in Fiddle Wood, Old Catton, Norwich.in 2013

FIDDLE WOOD, where things tend to happen as my fingers type away the hours of darkness!

And yes where a head might sometimes fall off and roll away. Like for say, the one Below.

Well yes things do tend to happen but it is all part of the  Art's and Craft's Movement, because 'We', can hopefully learn a little or a lot of something by having such misadventures! Which is finding out why such a thing happened after i'd cast up 20 or so of them. And so i must admit that while carrying a bundle of them that one fell way down  until it hit the hard stone floor. But it will not be wasted it will become one of the prop's in a Fred & Maybell ripping yarn! For all throughout my life i have been a story teller. So as an Author i always got to lie every day, and every night time as i wrote Sci Fi Fantasy story's, While under the sight and sound of the Owl of Minerva!

i have enjoyed being well enough to repetitively cast Athena, up and write of such a thing from the dusty past. Here being at my home, i have cast up this one figure over fifty times, but some i rejected due to my aim of obtaining the highest quality control possible.  

A modern day look  at this famous  site upon a high rise rock solid base. i believe the invader Turk's  stored their gunpowder there, and in a fire fight  the Parthenon was hit and so whatever was inside and on top, it being the roof was all blown to Smithereens upon September 26th in the war of 1687.  

Deep within our own time line, repairs are taking place constantly.

There will be an Update to this endeavour later.

Have Fun, Stay Safe and help others if you can. BB