Mary Ostler

I have an idea…. Its a backpack sized period encampment. Something small enough I could in theory lug onto the BC ferries as a walk on passenger thus saving me stupid amounts of money.

so…

In my seemingly never ending need to build different kinds of tents, I bring you the 15th century Timur Disked Bell.

all four images from “Felt Tents & Pavillions”

Small short center pole tents with huge amounts of arabesque designs elements.

In all the pictures I can find of these tents they all have a short ~1′ tall wall with alternating angled color strips. In the text of the book, the author talks about alternating red/white/blue/white on all of the white tents, with the arabesque predominately  blue. I have tried doing a search for colored versions of these photos, but so far my google-fu has let me down.

This image has the disked bell opened up like a sunshade. I would love to be able to make the tent function in this manner two. The one stumbling block I can see with it is the uber long guide ropes that would be needed to use it in this fashion. I could have a whole series of wall poles so I could decrease the angle…. but that takes away from the lightweight carry on-ness of this tent.

I also like the color contrast from inside to outside. Not sure if this is just an artists touch or indication of  an inner lining. I am taking it as an inner lining, and seeing if I can make a light weight cotton broadcloth lining. I think an inner red or blue lining would be amazing, especially if I add the arabesque to the inside too.

That “Felt Tent and Pavilion” book is amazing. It even has an image of a 15th century tent decoration panel. I believe this is a bit more ambitious than I plan to do, but it give you an idea of how crazy awesome some of those tents actually where.

I have a few other things I have to get to first, but I really would love to have at least the outer done in time for ban Tanist Kate & Tanist Alden’s step up.

Nuts…Yes?