Jacob Sheep
The Inspiration:
The origins of the Jacob are obscure, but it is certainly a very old breed. Piebald sheep have been described throughout history, appearing in works of art from the Far East, Middle East, and Mediterranean regions. A piebald breed of sheep probably existed in the Levant, specifically in the area that is now known as Syria, about three thousand years ago.
Among the many accounts of ancient breeds of piebald sheep is the story of Jacob from the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. According to the Book of Genesis (Genesis 30:31–43), in what may be the earliest recorded attempt at selective breeding, Jacob took every speckled and spotted sheep from his father-in-law's (Laban's) flock and bred them. The Jacob is named for the Biblical figure of Jacob. The resulting breed may have accompanied the westward expansion of human civilization through Northern Africa, Sicily, Spain and eventually England. However, it was not until the 20th century when the breed acquired the name "Jacob sheep".
There's tons more.
This is a pretty cool critter!
This is a pretty cool critter!
Notes:
#1 The Jacob Sheep, glazed and ready for the raku firing.
I'm working on greenware, but want to try as naked raku technique on the face, so the bare clay parts should smoke dark, while I'm hoping to paint a slip over the shellacked parts that can act as a mask and be removed after firing.
Progress Photos:
#1 The Jacob Sheep, glazed and ready for the raku firing.
I'm working on greenware, but want to try as naked raku technique on the face, so the bare clay parts should smoke dark, while I'm hoping to paint a slip over the shellacked parts that can act as a mask and be removed after firing.
Progress Photos:
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