Lot 9: Rifle Scabbard by Kerry Masarik and Shelly Gier

Every treasured flintlock needs protection when transported to the range or the field. This year’s CLF Fundraising Auction will offer collectors the opportunity to acquire a beautiful rifle scabbard by two of the CLA’s best textile artists.

The project started with cotton canvas, beautifully transformed into a work of art by Kerry Masarik. Masarik used a variety of leaves gathered from the forests of North Carolina, including red oak, chestnut oak, elderberry, red maple, redbud, carrot tops, peach, grape, and whorled loosestrife. The prints and colors (except the red, which is madder) are from the leaves themselves. Masarik explains that she uses a steaming process to transfer the leaf pigments, which permanently prints the fabric. “All the dye materials and methodologies,” Masarik points out, “are 18th century appropriate, but with a modern twist.” 

Shelly Gier used Masarik’s striking textile to craft a sturdy and attractive rifle scabbard suitable for your finest long gun. The exterior canvas was given a protective treatment of beeswax. The interior of the case is lined with wool that was fulled for more loft. Gier then quilted the layers around various leaves. The entire piece was hand-stitched, and has a welt and bark tanned leather end cap for extra protection. 

For more information on the work of the artists, contact:

Kerry Masarik: hornandfiber@gmail.com
Shelly Gier: shellycamps1790@gmail.com