Sforza Laurel

OK, by now the deed should be done so I hope it is safe to post this now. Many years ago while I was Baron, I attended a Kingdom Arts and Science event (this is all SCA www.sca.org related) and was sought out by a man I knew only slightly. He took me over to a table with a beautiful small wooden writing desk based on one belonging to Henry the VIII on it. The grain was matched, the wood was amazing and I complimented him on his wonderful work. He then told me it was mine!! I has been one of my prized possessions since then. The wife of this man contacted me a couple weeks ago and told me he was receiving his Laurel (the highest level award you can receive in the SCA for the Arts. Basically a Knighthood for the Arts). She requested that I do the scroll for him for this award and I was happy (if a bit rushed) to do it. So here it is finished, with my terrible calligraphy included. "Sforza Laurel", 9 x 12, Egg Tempera, Acrylic, ProWhite and Pigma pen on Parchment (the skin not the paper). It is based on pages the Sforza Hours, c.1490, Milan. The borders are my own variation on several from the book and the top and bottom Angel and Melusine are directly from different pages (samples will appear below my scroll). Bad calligraphy by me is in Oak Gall ink.  I hope he is happy with it and his laurel is well deserved for his amazing woodworking! Picture 12.