Medium: Micro-Engraving on the Head of a Gold Pin
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Microscope and Lighting System
This touching micro‑engraving pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, whose remarkable fundraising efforts captured the hearts of millions. Engraved entirely by hand onto the head of a gold pin, the piece depicts Captain Tom in his iconic stance, complete with walking frame and medals, a portrait rendered at a scale invisible to the naked eye.
Working on a gold pin only a few millimetres across requires extraordinary precision. Gold is chosen for its purity, stability, and ability to hold crisp detail at microscopic scale. Using ultra‑fine needles and working under extreme magnification, Graham Short carved the portrait one microscopic stroke at a time, shaping Captain Tom’s figure with near‑motionless accuracy. His disciplined working methods, late‑night sessions, controlled breathing, and pulse‑slowing techniques, allow him to engrave at a level of detail measured in microns.
The engraving captures not only Captain Tom’s likeness but the spirit of determination and hope he came to symbolise. Every line, fold, and gesture is carved with intention, transforming a surface smaller than a grain of rice into a powerful tribute to resilience and national unity.
To present the artwork as intended, the gold pin is mounted in a handcrafted wooden display case designed specifically for this piece. A precision‑fitted microscope is integrated into the case, allowing viewers to experience the engraving in perfect clarity. An adjustable lighting system illuminates the gold surface from the ideal angle, revealing the delicate textures and astonishing detail carved into the metal.
Medium: Micro-Engraving on the Head of a Gold Pin
Presentation: Bespoke Wooden Display Case with Integrated Microscope and Lighting System
This touching micro‑engraving pays tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, whose remarkable fundraising efforts captured the hearts of millions. Engraved entirely by hand onto the head of a gold pin, the piece depicts Captain Tom in his iconic stance, complete with walking frame and medals, a portrait rendered at a scale invisible to the naked eye.
Working on a gold pin only a few millimetres across requires extraordinary precision. Gold is chosen for its purity, stability, and ability to hold crisp detail at microscopic scale. Using ultra‑fine needles and working under extreme magnification, Graham Short carved the portrait one microscopic stroke at a time, shaping Captain Tom’s figure with near‑motionless accuracy. His disciplined working methods, late‑night sessions, controlled breathing, and pulse‑slowing techniques, allow him to engrave at a level of detail measured in microns.
The engraving captures not only Captain Tom’s likeness but the spirit of determination and hope he came to symbolise. Every line, fold, and gesture is carved with intention, transforming a surface smaller than a grain of rice into a powerful tribute to resilience and national unity.
To present the artwork as intended, the gold pin is mounted in a handcrafted wooden display case designed specifically for this piece. A precision‑fitted microscope is integrated into the case, allowing viewers to experience the engraving in perfect clarity. An adjustable lighting system illuminates the gold surface from the ideal angle, revealing the delicate textures and astonishing detail carved into the metal.
