Model of a Silpi Sharpening Chisels

Our master sculptress, Holly Young, is busy on the Big Island. Today she sent us photos of the completed life-size wax showing an Iraivan silpi sharpening a mild-steel chisel. These chisels last about 5-7 minutes before the hard granite dulls them beyond use. So hundreds need to be sharpened ever two days. Here Manikandan is about to strike the blow on the red-hot and malleable end of the chisel. Here a brick is shown underneath, but in real life it is a solid piece of metal.

This is the third in the series of nine sculptures that will tell the story of how Iraivan Temple was envisioned, designed and built.

Our left-handed silpi strikes the blow at the tip of the chisel. He will turn the chisel 5-8 times until a sharp point forms.

Holding the hot chisel with steel tongs.

From the back

Notice the folded veshti used as a cushion

After sharpening, the chisel will be placed in a shallow tray of water to temper the metal tip.

Concentration and patience are a silpi\

s best friend.'

A final angle. Congratulations, Holly!

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