Antler Carvings

Liles Woodworking Turnings with Apoxie Sculpt- Page 1 Turnings with Apoxie Sculpt- Page 2 Pierced Turnings Hollow Vessels Bio Woodturning Links Carved Antlers

Below is a scene that might take place in the southwest United States, A Mountain Lion (Puma,Cougar) is stalking a Desert Sheep from another rock outcropping, but he has been spotted by the keen senses of the sheep before he could make his move.

Carved in a Fallow deer antler, free standing so it does not require a base.

Another large Fallow Deer antler with a scene of two Wolves chasing and possibly catching a Bull Caribou. It may have been more than they bargained for if they do.

Here is a somewhat smaller (but no less detailed) Fallow Deer Antler that has been carved with a celtic knot going around it.

It sits on a stand made from steel and Black Cherry Burl.

To the left and above you will see racks from what I call the "Brazilian Black Bush Buck". They are very closely related to our own North American Whitetail deer. These are extremely rare, that's why you don't ever hear about them and almost never see them. They feed exclusively on the leaves of the Ficus Elastica (Rubber tree). Their antlers are normally straight much like our own Whitetail just a little thinner. But because they feed on the leaves that they do their antlers take on a special characteristic. When you boil the antlers they become pliable like rubber and before they cool off you can take them and twist them (using heavy leather gloves) into spirals (sorta like steam bending wood). Or of course one could just carve a whitetail rack into spirals.

This upclose photo shows the detail of the texturing done to enhance the pithy center of the antler. The ribbon part of the knot is carved only in the hard outer layer of the antler. The finished piece has been sealed and buffed with carnuba wax.