Samson-Inspired Pictureframe

So, my ancient Hebrew professor gave me the inspiration for this piece. It is a joke, but only if you know something about Hebrew Bible literature and the story of Samson (who killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey). I always thought it would be hilarious to have a shadowbox with a donkey’s jawbone in it that read something to the effect of “In Case of Attack by Philistines Break Glass.” Amazingly, when I shared this idea with a relative of mine, he got me an entire donkey cranium for Christmas a few years ago! Luckily, another friend is a gifted calligraphy artist and he used a scrap of vellum (which real vellum is the hide of a calf) and gave it a rough edge to look a little more ancient. I’m so happy with it!

The frame itself is made from white oak with mahogany splines. I also have in the works a hammer made of stone to put on the side of it to give it a little more genuine feel. My wife wouldn’t let me display a donkey’s jawbone in the house, so it goes in my office at church. I guess I’ll quickly be able to determine the Biblical literacy of anyone who walks into my office now very quickly : )

Thanks for looking!