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Hand carved sign
 
Quarterboard, Hand carved sign, 2006; Nicholas James Lonborg (b. 1970); Halifax, Massachusetts; Wood, 23K gold leaf, paint; 5 1/2 x 72 1/2 x 5/8 in.; Collection of the artist; Photography by Jason Dowdle
Quarterboard, Hand carved sign, 2006
Nicholas James Lonborg (b. 1970)
Halifax, Massachusetts
Wood, 23K gold leaf, paint
5 1/2 x 72 1/2 x 5/8 in.
Collection of the artist
Photography by Jason Dowdle
 
Nicholas Lonborg painting sign in his studio; Hand carved sign; 2006: Halifax, Massachusetts
Nicholas Lonborg at the 2013 Lowell Folk Festival folk craft area; Hand carved sign; 2013: Lowell, Massachusetts
 
verticle bar Artist
Nicholas Lonborg specializes in highly finished, hand-carved quarterboard signs. The name quarterboard derives from decoratively carved and painted signs that hung on the bow of 1800s sailing vessels. Once associated with ships, quarterboards now mark personal property, especially on the seafaring island of Nantucket and other coastal communities.

Nicholas carves letterforms using a single utility knife. He shapes relief carving with chisels and gouges. He applies five coats of oil paint to the boards and then gilds the letters in 23-karat gold leaf.
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