The client liked this somewhat old-fashioned shape. She also wanted to emphasize the importance of her mother's Catholicism so I suggested cutting the cross right through the stone. I was concerned that the cross might feel stingy, like a keyhole, going through all that thickness, so I recessed a panel in front and in back. Once the depth was girdled, I carved the cross through the full 1 1/2" and then split away the slate, leaving the pleasing, naturally-riven surface within both circular panels.  BACK   NEXT

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