…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Dr Willard Wigan, a renowned micro-sculptor from south Birmingham, has crafted a tiny crown to mark the coronation of the King and Queen Consort.
He hand-wove a 24-carat gold frame around a carved grain of sand, encrusting it with real jewels and painting the piece with a brush made from his own eyelash.
The crown, made to look like St Edward’s Crown, is mounted within the eye of a sewing needle and is not much bigger than a full stop in standard newsprint.
It took Dr Wigan 600 hours of work across seven weeks to create the piece, which he plans to exhibit rather than give to the King.
Using a microscope to create the crown, Dr Wigan employed a special breathing technique and worked mostly through the night and early mornings when there were fewer vibrations and air disturbances from passing traffic.
Dr Wigan was honoured with an MBE for services to art in 2007.
He has previously created similar models, including one of the Queen’s Coronation Carriage, which was also fitted inside the eye of a needle, to mark her Platinum Jubilee last year.
Analysis and Commentaries
The creation of the tiny crown to mark the coronation of the King and Queen Consort is a remarkable feat of micro-sculpting by Dr Willard Wigan.
The piece is a unique work of art, reflecting Dr Wigan’s exceptional talent and creativity, as well as his dedication and commitment to his craft.
The use of a grain of sand as the body of the piece and the incorporation of real jewels and gold highlight the intricate and delicate nature of the work.
The use of a brush made from Dr Wigan’s own eyelash and the special breathing technique he employed to create the crown demonstrate the level of detail and precision required for such a small-scale sculpture.
The piece is a testament to the skill and expertise of the artist, who has previously created similar models, including one to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Dr Wigan’s decision to exhibit the crown rather than give it to the King is an interesting choice, as it allows more people to appreciate and enjoy the piece.
It also highlights the value of art as a means of communication and expression, as well as a form of cultural heritage.
The creation of the tiny crown by Dr Wigan is a testament to the power of art to inspire and captivate, even on a small scale.