Seaton Cup. Rules for 2007

Index (click on any Index entry for more information)

Categories of Entry
Classes of Entry
Definition of Categories
Definition of Classes
Judgment of Pictures

Judgment of Applied

Judgment of Kits
Awards
Caveats
 Judges Guidance
Categories of Entry.
There are three categories; Pictures, Applied Marquetry and Kits
Classes of Entry
Picture Category has three classes, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

Applied Category has three classes, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Kit  Category. There is only one class of entry in this category
Definition of Categories
Kits.
These will be pictures made from a kit, either purchased from the club or other source.
Judging will be based on;
• Quality of cutting
• Use of natural features of veneer
• Gluing to ground board (bubbles etc)
• Finish and polishing
No marks will be awarded for choice of veneers, picture etc as these have been specified in the kit.

Pictures.
These will be mounted on a flat board suitable for wall hanging or similar application.

There are no specifications for the subject or size of the picture.
The veneers may be natural or dyed, as preferred by the person producing the picture.
If for any reason additional decoration is applied, such as paint etc, it will be accepted, but not considered for merit when judging the work. (It should also be noted that sand shading and pen work are accepted methods of enhancing marquetry and can be considered for merit.)
Pictures will be judged on;
§ Craftsmanship
§ Quality of cutting
§ Choice of veneers
§ Use of natural features to enhance pictorial effect
§ Gluing to ground board (bubbles etc)
§ Finish and polishing
§ Artistic merit
§ If copied from existing photograph or picture, merit be awarded for interpretation into marquetry.
§ If an original picture by the entrant, merit for artistic design

Applied:
This will be Marquetry applied to a utility object such as a jewel box, tray, clock etc.
Applied will be judged on;
§ Quality of the marquetry
§ Standard of finishing and polishing.
§ Originality of design.
§ Any non-marquetry embellishments such as brass fittings, clock faces etc will be accepted, but not considered for merit when judging.
 
Definition of Classes.
Beginner: A member who has not made a previous entry into the Seaton Cup in any category.
Any member who fits this category, but due to previous experience wishes to declare him/herself an Intermediate may do so.
Intermediate: An Intermediate will be a person who does not qualify as a Beginner for the category, but has not won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize in the intermediate class for the category.
Advanced: This will be a member who has already won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize in the intermediate class for the category
 
Awards

The Spa Laminates Cup will be presented to the best kit entered, in the opinion of the judges.
Vouchers will be given as 1st prize. Certificates of commendation to second and third

The Tommy Limmer Cup will be awarded to the best picture entry, in the opinion of the judges, for all classes in this category.
Vouchers will be given as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes
The John Boddy Trophy will be awarded to the best applied entry, in the opinion of the judges, for all classes in this category.
Vouchers will be given as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes
Member's Choice Trophy: This will be awarded to the best entry in any category voted for by the members
Seaton Cup: Awarded by the Judges as the best overall entry in the Picture and Applied Categories.
Caveats

All the above awards work on the assumption that there will be sufficient entries in each category and class. In the past, this has not always been the case and to prevent an imbalance in the prizes, the following rules will apply to each class of the Pictures and Applied categories.

One to three entries: 1st prize only
4 to 5 entries : 1st and 2nd prizes only
6 and above entries: 1st 2nd and 3rd prizes.

 
Judges Guidance.
Our judges are not always marquetarians, and we provide them with the following guidance, when making their decisions. It is of use to entrants to know what the judges will be looking for when work is judged. Below we have defined what a perfect piece should have. Merit will be given according to how closely the ideal has been achieved.
Quality of Cutting: A perfect piece of marquetry would have each piece of veneer perfectly fitting all the adjacent pieces with no gaps.
Choice of Veneers.The natural grain found in most veneers and particularly in burrs can often be used to enhance the appearance of a picture, appearing to add detail which would be unachievable by simple cutting. Imagination and ingenuity in this area should be given merit.
Use of Natural Features:This is tied in with choice of veneers, the difference being that having chosen a veneer to simulate a colour or texture, using the natural features refers to how the veneer has been oriented to exploit the effect.
Gluing to Ground: Here the judge is really looking for bad gluing in the form of bubbles, edges not properly glued down etc

Finish and Polishing: The judge should "look through" the polish to see if there are signs of bad sanding (deep scratches,chipped veneers caused by sanding. The quality of the polishing is also to be scrutinised, are there brush marks? foreign bodies under the varnish? scratches in the polish etc.
Another aspect which should be judged is the quality of finish applied to the piece as a whole, are the edges and back neatly veneered, have they been polished to the same standard as the front.

Craftsmanship: Marquetry is a craft. A good craftsman does not make do. Things which should be assessed are for instance, where a mitred frame has been put around a picture, does the mitre exactly match up with the corner. When judging applied marquetry, the actual piece is ignored, as it is not marquetry, but the accuracy of placing the marquetry should be judged.
Polish. Reference is made to polish. This does not necessarily mean "glossy". A matt finish is also considered to be a polish.
Sand Shading and Pen Work: It is traditional in marquetry to enhance shading by either scorching the veneer, to give the appearance of shadows, or by drawing fine lines with a pen. Both these are legitimate practices.