Interview with the figurehead artists at Eight Bells Carving

Eight Bells Carving is a family business on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts run by Dinah Unruh and her daughter Heidi. They create customized wooden pieces based on old boat figureheads with the help of carvers in Thailand. Their figureheads can be used for decoration in a wide variety of spots, and the company puts an incredible amount of work into each piece.

Dinah and Heidi were kind enough to answer some questions about their dedication to this fading art form.

Mega Ministore: What experience do the people at Eight Bells Carving have with carving and with figureheads?

Dinah Unruh: I started carving figureheads about six years ago. I wanted to buy an antique figurehead to hang on the outside of my home on Nantucket Island, but they are hard to come by and are often quite expensive. I've been an artist most of my life, and so the idea of making one for myself came quite naturally. The idea for the business bloomed from there as my first figurehead was realized. All figureheads are designed by Eight Bells Carving artists, and the actual carving is done by a master carver and his apprentice in Thailand where we have access to the more durable types of wood needed for figurehead carving. Once finished, the carved figureheads are sent back the US where we do a good deal of carving to fine tune each figurehead before painting them.

MMS: How do you envision your buyers using your figureheads? For indoor or outdoors decoration, on actual boats, etc?

Dinah: Our figureheads are really pieces of folk art as opposed to adorning ships like the days of old -- though the spirit of the figurehead as protector remains the same. Our customers have their figureheads hanging over fireplaces, as great room centerpieces, on the outside of homes, mounted on barns, and one is even overlooking a garden.

MMS: What sizes can you produce?

Dinah: We produce small, medium and large-sized figureheads which typically range in size from three feet to five feet and weigh anywhere from 75 to 200 pounds.

MMS: How much input as to specifics do you need from your clients? Do they often have detailed needs or do they often give you a vague idea of what they want and let your artists flesh out the rest?

Dinah: It really depends. About 50% of our business is designing custom figureheads for customers, and the rest we design to our own liking and then sell them as is. For custom figureheads, generally we interview customers to get a feel for their ideas and wishes, color preferences, size, etc. And we then interpret those ideas, making recommendations where we think they should consider another option - if any. We always send photos and sketches for review, and revise those sketches until the customer is completely happy with the design. Our new carver in Thailand prefers to work from face photos, so we like to be very detailed about the face with as many photos as possible.

MMS: How long does it take to produce a piece, depending on size and specifications?

Dinah: It takes anywhere from one to three months to carve each figurehead, depending on the level of detail in the design. More complex designs take longer. Then it takes approximately three to six weeks to ship the figurehead from Thailand to the US, and another one to two months of fine tuning the carving and painting until the figurehead is ready for delivery. Our carver is fabulous, but I like to feel that as the artist with the vision, only I can give the figurehead its 'soul'.

MMS: What are your price structures?

Heidi: Our prices are as follows: 3 feet = $10,000; 4 feet = $12,000; and 5 feet = $15,000 for the figureheads of people. Bird figureheads range from $6,000 to $7,000 when finished. Those are a general figures that we use. A great deal of detail can make the price go higher. The design is included in the price - and we don't charge for that if someone decides they don't want to proceed.

MMS: Where can you ship the figureheads to, and what kind of costs are associated with that?

Dinah: We can ship the figureheads anywhere in the world. Cost will vary widely depending on distance, size, weight, packing, method of shipment, and desired delivery timeframe. We have a crating and shipping company here on Nantucket that does a great job. Half of the price of shipping is in insurance for the trip. If the figurehead is going to a home located in the New England region, we will often personally deliver the figurehead for no cost if time permits.

MMS: In general, what is the maritime collectibles scene like in Nantucket? Do you have relationships/experience with other boating antiques/collectibles enthusiasts or associations in the area?

Heidi: As you might expect, Nantucket is an active outlet for maritime antique collecting, with Nina Hellman Marine Antiques/Americana leading the way. We also have Sylvia Antiques and Rafael Osona Auction House that hold special marine antique auctions every summer that draw people from all over the US. As my figureheads are not antiques, they do not carry them, but everyone is familiar with my work and passes on the word when there is an inquiry.

MMS: Could you briefly go over the production process of a typical piece (if there is such a thing as a typical piece)?

Dinah: First we create the design which includes detailed sketches, photographs, and occasionally a clay molding of the figurehead. Next the wood is selected for each piece. Then the master carver in Thailand carves each piece. Detailed feedback is given by the designers at every step of the way to control the vision. Once carved, the figurehead is shipped to the US. Before painting, finishing carving is done followed by giving each figurehead a vinegar bath to age the look of the wood. Then the figurehead is given many coats of paint. And finally, the figurehead is aged and finished with a coat of polyurethane to protect it from the weather.

MMS: What are the favorite parts of production for some of the employees at Eight Bells?

Heidi: My favorite part is doing the research and creating the original design for each figurehead an then watching the master carvers progress at each stage of carving along the way. It is so exciting to see our designs come to life.
Dinah: I put my heart and soul into each piece so my favorite part is seeing the happy reaction of each customer when they see the finished product for the first time.

MMS: Why did you choose "Eight Bells" for your business's name?

Heidi: If I had Flash on my website now you wouldn't need to ask that question! That will be up soon, I hope. Eight Bells comes from the ringing and calling of the ships clock and the watch. "Eight bells and all's well". That is the motto of our company. As soon as I can have sound put onto my splash page, when you first log on, the eight bells of a ships clock will chime.

Thanks to Heidi and Dinah for taking the time to answer these questions. More information, pictures, etc can be found on their excellent website http://eightbellscarving.com.

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