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© Nancy Sutcliffe
© Dennis Jarrett
© Nancy Sutcliffe
© Nancy Sutcliffe
© Nancy Sutcliffe

Nancy Sutcliffe

  • Glass engraver
  • Madley, United Kingdom
  • Master Artisan
Nancy Sutcliffe Glass engraver
© Dennis Jarrett

Designing in glass and gold

  • • Nancy creates engraved and gilded glass objects
  • • Her gilding is inspired by Middle Eastern art
  • • She aims for contemporary and original creations

Nancy Sutcliffe's work is sure to attract the eye and keep it there thanks to the meticulously engraved detail in her pieces. Nancy works with a micro-motor drill to create her engravings, something she says came naturally to her the first time she tried it. That's no surprise, since the machine is similar to a pen and Nancy worked as a draughtswoman for many years, starting as a medical illustrator. She describes those years as a rich source of stimulation and has retained a keen interest in portraits and profiles, a subject she returns to regularly in her work. She believes that good design is key, both in functional and decorative objects, and describes it as “the essential foundation for making anything”.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Jay Watson
  • © Jay Watson
  • © Nancy Sutcliffe
  • © Jay Watson
  • © Jay Watson
Photo: © Jay Watson
Crabtastic

This freestanding sculpture by Nancy Sutcliffe depicts a small yet highly detailed crab, with golden claws elevated towards the sky. This piece is carved using a hand held micro-motor with small diamond and stone burrs. The claws of the crab are gilded with 22k gold leaf and are inscribed with a detailed pattern, giving the crab a precise and natural feel.

Length 17 cm
Width 7 cm
Height 21

Photo: © Jay Watson
Stag Do

This freestanding sculpture by Nancy Sutcliffe depicts a stag beetle, showing all the details of its anatomy. The wings and the centre of its abdomen are golden and engraved with delicate patterns. The sculpture is carved using a hand held drill with small diamond and stone burrs. The wings of the stag beetle are gilded with 22k gold leaf.

Length 17 cm
Width 7 cm
Height 21

Photo: © Nancy Sutcliffe
Octopus

This freestanding sculpture by Nancy Sutcliffe depicts an octopus looking towards the sky with its tentacles touching the edges of the square glass block, as though the glass is water supporting the animal in an invisible aquarium. The piece is carved using a hand held drill with small diamond and stone burrs. The body of the octopus is gilded with gold leaf and inscribed with a detailed pattern.

Length 12 cm
Width 12 cm
Height 12

Photo: © Jay Watson
Beebop

This freestanding sculpture by Nancy Sutcliffe represents seven bees in different directions all looking towards the centre of the piece. Their bodies are engraved with golden details on their abdomens. This creation is carved using a hand held drill with small diamond and stone burrs. The bees are gilded with 22k gold leaf and inscribed with a detailed pattern.

Length 17 cm
Width 7 cm
Height 21

Photo: © Jay Watson
DNA

This freestanding panel by Nancy Sutcliffe depicts two people standing face to face. It is carved using a hand held drill with small diamond and stone burrs. The figure on the right has 24k gold leaf on the head, and the whole piece has a 10cm band of 24k gold leaf and palladium leaf running horizontally around the panel, front and back. The pattern incised on the leaf is modelled on DNA sequencing charts.

Length 28 cm
Width 2 cm
Height 38

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