Sentimental Casting - Family Crest pendant in 18K Mixed Gold
A very sentimental commission to celebrate a family crest of the MacNeil's of Barra from a lost one's inherited gold. Six 18K Gold bangles, two white, two rose, two yellow, converted into a future family heirloom. 
Family Crest of the MacNeil's of Barra. A stronghold fort in Scotland. I undertook a deep-dive into the different reiterations of the family crest. There were certain aspects that I felt could be embellished and improved.
The design below the rock is the 'Cap of Maintenance'. The Cap of Maintenance is the baronial cap in the MacNeil arms, symbolising noble rank and chiefship. It was formally assigned to the MacNeil of Barra in 1913 when Robert Lister MacNeil was nominated as chief.
Initial sketch for the design. Incorporating the Dryas flower leaf on the end of the belt-banner. It is one of the traditional plants used historically as clan identifiers, worn in bonnets or attached to spears during gatherings or battle. I wanted to make the rock a statement so brought it out to overlap the banner.
Carving has commenced and trying to get an understanding of the different dimensions of the piece to make it more 3D.
Working on the lettering to ensure this flows correctly and is centralised to the top of the banner. The ermine on the cap was the hardest section to perfect!
Focusing on the detail of the belt buckle and end section. I created a subtle taper to the pendant to ensure it hangs straight and weighted towards the bottom of the pendant.
Further refining of the design and smoothing of the different aspects of the family crest. Creating additional flow to the belt around the belt buckle.
The finished carving. I decided to leave out the boarder lines on the banner, as well as the star design between the wording as this looked too cluttered.
The customers scrap metal from his inheritance. Six ,18K full bangles, comprising of two rose gold, two white gold and two yellow gold.
The finished carving in scale to the supplied bangles.
Here is a better sense of scale for the overall size of the pendant once cast.
Close up of the finished, cleaned casting in mixed 18K gold.
Fully polished and on display in the sunshine.
A full UK Hallmark including my 'RC' makers mark, a true sign of quality. This adds my record into the history books and will always bare my name on this piece.
Depth of the banner shown in this picture. A beautiful flow of the belt banner and buckle.
Side shot to show the heavy 18K yellow gold jump ring and fittings.
Beautifully polished looking stunning in the midday sun.
The final piece. I love the addition of the Dryas Flower on the end of the belt, tying in a new aspect of this family crest not previously seen on any crest I could find.
From start to finish; the initial sketch to the finished polished article.
A real sense of scale of the original sketch and finished pendant.
Boxed up and ready to start its journey. Where Roskell-Cheale meets the MacNeil's of Barra.
Absolutely stunning piece. A true heirloom.