Cologne artist transforms cattle bones into fascinating works of art!

Cologne artist transforms cattle bones into fascinating works of art!

In Cologne-Rodenkirchen, the talented Laura de Luca has found a niche that is as unique as it is fascinating. The 30-year-old master ivory carver is not only an artist, but also a passionate wood turner and wooden toy maker. Her studio and the art she creates there are an expression of traditional craftsmanship that is deeply rooted in our culture, while at the same time adapting to modern circumstances. Again Cologne City Gazette reports, the ban on ivory processing since 1989 has led Laura to switch to beef bones from Argentina and from an organic farmer in Austria. Domestic cattle are often too porous for their delicate work.

With a passion that is reflected in the multitude of her commissions, de Luca specializes in reproductions of archaeological finds, particularly from Roman times. Around 70 percent of their orders go to museums and private collectors who are interested in these valuable replicas. She not only turns thigh and metatarsal bones, but also works on important projects such as a 2,000-year-old parasol for the Roman-Germanic Museum.

Art meets science

The challenge that de Luca sees in her work keeps her on her toes. The individual parts of the parasol are manufactured based on scientific studies, which requires a meticulous method and in-depth knowledge. Another notable project was the reconstruction of a 19 cm long hairpin for the British Museum. “It took months and involved finding the perfect bone,” she explains. When processing a large number of bones, she first cuts them open before starting with the fine grinding. Particularly delicate pieces can take two days of intensive work.

Ivory carving has a long tradition that dates back to the Paleolithic period; At that time, among other things, the oldest known carvings were made from woolly mammoth ivory. The techniques have remained surprisingly constant over thousands of years, with carving, scraping and scratching being among the most important methods Wikipedia reflects the story.

Creative offers for those interested

Laura de Luca also has plans for the future. In her new studio on Weißer Straße, which is scheduled to open in the fall, she will offer day and weekend courses to pass on her knowledge and skills to those interested. A weekend course costs 140 euros, with material costs for large sculptures being around 80 euros. The tools and the entire workshop are available to rework and provide participants with a comprehensive experience.

In addition, she also sells jewelry made from mammoth tusks at various festivals, especially during Roman and Germanic days. De Luca uses a 3,000-year-old technique to incorporate gemstone chips into the bones, which gives her pieces a very special touch and makes them highly popular.

In a world in which craftsmanship and tradition are visibly fading, Laura de Luca not only focuses on preserving this art form, but also brings it to the fore in a new way. Her dedication and talent make her an outstanding artist in the field of ivory carving - or rather, bone art.