Quillwork Pouch and Knife Sheath by Bill Wright

 

Photographer supplied by Bill Wright.

Quillwork by Bill Wright

 

Photos supplied by Bill Wright.

2021 CLA Live Auction: Neck Knife and Quilled Sheath by Frank and Lally House

 

This neck knife and quilled sheath were created by Frank House and Lally House. Frank forged this knife with a finely balanced 4 1/2-inch-long blade and mounted it to an antler handle with a through tang. The handle is finished with silver mounts.  There is an interesting pommel on the butt of the knife with a protrusion serving as a bullet starter.  The knife is what you would expect from one of the leading knife smithing teachers in the CLA.

This knife sheath is a work of art.  The naturally dyed hand worked quills and moose hair embroidery are sewn in an Eastern Woodland pattern on the brain tanned, rawhide-lined sheath.  The stitching is extremely precise and the quill folding is very intricate.  This is a fine example of the knife sheath as an art form.

Both Frank and Lally are regular supporters of the CLF Auction.  They are also dedicated to promoting the art of the contemporary longrifle culture.  Both have taught classes sharing the lessons they have learned in their craft: Frank in rifle and knife smithing, Lally in leatherwork and quill work.  Both also serve on several CLA committees.

Frank House's contact information is frankhouse59@gmail.com

Lally House’s contact information is lallybhouse@gmail.com

 

Photography by David Wright

Text by Heinz Ahlers

Quillwork Knife Sheaths by Bill Wright

 

Photography supplied by Bill and Vicki Wright.

Quill Sheath by Lally House

 

Photography by Jan Riser.

Quilled Neck Sheath by Lally House

Photographed at the 2016 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Hershel House Knife with a John House Sheath for Charlie Wallingford

2019 CLA Live Auction: Neck Knife and Quilled Sheath by Charles Wallingford and Bill Wright

Few pieces of tribal artistry are as visually captivating as the iconic neck knife of the eastern woodlands. For this year’s CLF fundraising auction, two of the nation’s top artists have teamed up to produce a truly outstanding example that’s destined to become a treasured heirloom.

            Master cutler and CLA charter member Charles Wallingford hand-forged this knife from 1084 bar stock. Typical of the legendary Wallingford knives, the blade is razor sharp and sports a rich patina. The handle is crafted from dyed whitetail antler, beautifully accented with a hand-cast pewter bolster and an end cap of sterling silver.

            Wallingford’s blade is accompanied by a stunning custom sheath by Bill Wright, one of the nation’s top quill and beadwork artisans. The body of the sheath is hand-crafted from brain-tanned deer hide, which was dyed using a period-correct walnut hull bath. Wright’s artistic talents are on full display on the face of the sheath, which is adorned with a breathtaking quillwork pattern inspired by the traditional tribal arts of the eastern woodlands.

            To the artists, this fine donation is for a good cause. “The CLA,” explains Wright, “has been an excellent vehicle to promote the contemporary artists throughout our country who have demonstrated their love of our history. They have used various mediums to recreate the past relating to the 17th and 18th century and the CLA has brought forth these works of art and helped shine a light on those creations.”

For more information on the work of artists Charles Wallingford and Bill Wright, contact the artists directly:

Charles Wallingford: cwknives@aol.com

Bill Wright: wrightsgarden@hotmail.com

Copy and photos supplied by the CLF.