For the better part of six months, silversmith Marietta Loudon spent countless hours on a single project. The Diocese of Southwest Florida commissioned Loudon, a parishioner at Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton, FL, to create a new crozier, the shepherd’s staff and symbol of a bishop’s pastoral authority. Unlike the wooden and solid brass croziers used by previous bishops in Southwest Florida, this one has a sterling silver crook and a mahogany staff. Bishop Dabney Smith used the finished crozier for the first time at the opening Eucharist of the Diocese’s 40th annual convention Oct. 17, 2008, at Christ Church.
Traditional Ways
Her craft is decidedly old school; it’s just Loudon and a hammer, gently coaxing the silver into graceful curves that surround two matching cloisonné diocesan shields she also crafted, encased in an engraved silver frame. The staff of the crozier, along with its custom carrying case, was made of mahogany from a recently replaced pew at Christ Church.
The design evolved after sketching version after version on a note pad. “I started drawing,” she explained. “I just keep drawing until it feels right. It’s an intuitive thing, you feel the balance.”
The work is slow and time-consuming. As she hammers, she says God guides her. “I pray as I work because I do need help,” she said. “It’s a daily conversation back and forth.” Prayer and a contemplative attitude help when design issues pop up. “[When] I get to a problem situation, I get quiet and I get the answer.” Loudon said. “I’m doing it, but I’m getting a lot of help from somewhere else.”
To make it light enough to carry easily, the crozier’s crook is not a solid piece, but rather two halves soldered together with bracing inside. “You have to mix the aesthetics with the function, and that’s the fun of it — that’s the engineering,” Loudon said.
A Calling
Loudon, who created jewelry for many years, was fascinated by metal as a young girl. “When I touched metal there was something magical about it. It’s one of those moments where the heavens are opened up.”
She learned traditional silversmithing as a teenager studying in England but didn’t take up the craft again until the diocese commissioned her this spring to make the crozier. Despite never having done a similar project before, she quickly agreed. “I knew to say ‘yes’ and I didn’t know why. That’s a hallmark to me of God’s will kicking in,” she said.
She’s certain she is being called to this work and seeks to devote her full attention to larger silversmithing pieces such as chalices and other liturgical projects. “God’s will has been pretty hardy. I’ve taken side routes, but it keeps showing up along the line.”
