Tara Brooch Clock

“The Tara Brooch is a Celtic brooch of the pseudo-penannular type, made in 650 to 750 AD. It was found in Ireland in 1850, but, despite its name, not at Tara but likely near Bettystown on the coast of County Meath. The name by which it became known was attached to the brooch by the jeweller who purchased it, as a marketing ploy for the copies they made. The brooch was exhibited internationally and was one of the artifacts that fuelled the Celtic Revival in the mid-19th century. It is now on display in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.” (Wikepedia)

Going back to my Irish roots, I designed this clock to loosely represent the Tara Brooch. The Tara Brooch was worn in Irish dance costumes to hold a shawl in place over the shoulder.

I used the scroll saw to cut out the basic blank. I then carved and shaped the knots with carving knives and gouges. I cut the “pin” separately with the scroll saw and inlaid the “wooden jewels”