Polychrome engraving is used to adorn the different parts of ancient bohas. Of the nineteen copies found,
The new one has polychrome engravings on the pihet, one of them also has some on the wind-holder and its stump. Another copy has an identity engraving.
This article deals with the different uses of polychrome engraving for decorative or identity purposes.
The engravings observed suggest that they were made with ink or sealing wax. It is also possible that paste to seal the barrels have been used.
INVENTORY OF PATTERNS USED
The study of historical bohas allows us to observe several more or less complex patterns.
CHEVRONS
LADDER
EAR OF CORN
STAR
SAW BLADE
This shape is used on the top of the pihet as a main pattern
Ladder pattern is used in straight line, semicircle, rhombus and triangle
It is a very stylized and simple decoration that makes you think of an ear of wheat
Very simple decoration where the branches of the star are represented by a simple line
This decoration represents a line adorned with triangles which think of the teeth of a saw blade
LINES
DIAMONDS
EYES
BIRDS
ROSETTES
Simple straight or oblique line is used on several patterns
The rhombus is here materialized by edges in scales with a transverse also in scale or representing a succession of inverted triangles
or a double scale
This simple pattern represents a stylized eye(s)
The stylized bird is found on several bohas, it seems to be by the same author
This motif is the most popular even if it concerns only four bohas which can have up to three copies on the same pihet.
COMPARISON OF THE MOST USED PATTERNS
THE BIRDS
BdG-2015-4-dupin - 2 X BdG-2013-3-mougneres - BdG-2012-2-padera
There are two types of birds, a single-scale melee on the Mougnères and a double-scale melee on the Dupin and the Padera. They are all black in color.
THE ROSETTES
BdG-2014-2-bellegarde - 3 X BdG-2014-1-ATP-1966-114-3
2 X BdG-2014-2-bellegarde - BdG-2015-1-blanchard-1 - BdG-2015-3-dubes
There are several types of rosettes which differ in the shape and number of petals and in monochrome or polychrome colors.
THE DIAMONDS
2 X BdG-2015-4-dupin - 2 X BdG-2013-3-mougneres - 2 X BdG-2012-2-padera
There are differences mainly on the central motif which separates the rhombus in two. Two colors are used red and black.
POLYCHROMY ON THE PIHET
BdG-2014-1-ATP-1966-114-3. This copy is decorated on the top of the pihet and on the edge of the top on the reed side.
BdG-2014-1-ATP-1966-114-3
The motifs used are as follows: three rosettes with six branches edged with a saw blade motif; two are red and one black.
simple lines alternating red and black forming an aliasing around the top of the pole.
a double line of red and black chevrons alternating from top to bottom of the pihet.
BdG-2014-2-bellegarde. This copy is decorated on the top of the pihet and on the edge of the top on the reed side. It is also decorated on the profile
of the Melodic Pipe and the Semi-Melodic Pipe
BdG-2014-2-bellegarde - Chanter (Pihet) top table
On the top table of the pihet there are the following patterns:
Three rosettes, the first at the top of the pihet comprises six branches of red color and it is bordered by a black saw blade pattern.
the second at the bottom of the pihet is also with six branches bordered by a saw blade line, all black in color.
The last at the bottom of the pihet has ten thin branches. It is red and bordered by a single line, also red.
A series of black scale patterns around the three playing holes in the center of the melody pipe.
A red colored saw blade line on the side of the semi-melodic pipe.
A series of four patterns alternating red and black in the shape of a stylized eye in the center of the pihet.
A line of simple red lines forming an aliasing around the top of the pihet.
BdG-2014-2-bellegarde - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
The profile of the melodic pipe has the following patterns:
A series of nine diamond-shaped checkerboards placed end to end and arranged in three series
comprising from top to bottom, a red diamond followed by two black diamonds and so on.
The TSM has an identity motif representing: a surname in red "BELLEGARDE".
a localization in black "A SABRE" which is a locality of the department of Landes (40).
BdG-2015-1-blanchard-1 - Chanter (Pihet) top table
On the top table of the pihet there are the following patterns:
A rosette at the top of the pihet includes five black branches bordered by a black saw blade pattern.
A series of circular arc patterns with alternating saw blade pattern in black and red color.
The base of these arcs of a circle is a simple line from top to bottom of the pihet alternating the colors harmonized with those of the arcs of circles.
BdG-2013-7-claouriot - Chanter (Pihet) top table
On the top table of the pihet there are the following patterns:
Scale decorations on both edges, the center and the top of the pihet.
A stylized star between game holes three and four of the TM.
A stylized ear of wheat above the TSM play hole up to the middle of the stake.
Decorations made in red and black ink
BdG-2015-3-dubes - Chanter (Pihet) top table
The table above has a very faded pattern in black color There is a series of simple arcuate lines around the playing holes of the TM.
There is another series of simple circular arc lines inside a rectangle bounded by saw blade lines pointing outwards
On the bottom end of the pihet there is a rosette partly hidden by the tin which reinforces this end.
Decorations made in black ink
BdG-2015-3-dubes - Chanter (Pihet) top table
The top table also has a very faded pattern in black. From the top there is a series of three interlocking rhombuses repeated up to the middle of the pihet.
There is then down to the bottom of the pihet, a series of three diamond-shaped checkerboards linked together by the points.
Decorations made in black ink
BdG-2015-3-dubes - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
The profile of the TM comprises a series of twenty four black diamonds linked together by the points.
Decorations made in black ink
BdG-2015-3-dubes - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
The TSM profile includes an identity inscription with a patronymic "DUBES" and a location "MORCENX" which is a locality in the Landes department (40).
Decorations made in black ink
BdG-2015-4-dupin - Chanter (Pihet) top table
Ladder decorations on both edges, the center and the top of the pihet.
the two ladders surrounding the TM's playing holes are connected alternately by double ladder patterns and arrows.
The center ladder ends in an arc around the TSM play hole.
the top of the pihet is adorned with a triangle whose edges are also in scale.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2015-4-dupin - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
On this profile we can distinguish a black diamond pattern whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another ladder motif, the bars of which are inclined alternately.
Each vertex forms a triangle delimited by a bar added beyond the scale pattern.
This motif is found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2015-4-dupin - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
On this profile we can distinguish a diamond pattern of red color whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another motif representing two adjoining scales.
Only one of the two vertices is terminated in the form of a triangle delimited by the last bar of the ladder pattern.
There is a second pattern in the shape of a stylized bird in black color.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2012-1-mondineu-1 - Pihet top table
Ladder decorations on both edges, the center and the top of the pihet with arcs of a ladder in the center.
The top of the pihet includes a rectangle in scale which frames a diamond checkerboard itself inserted in a stream of lines sketching a rhombus with two flattened edges.
There is also a rectangle on the bottom reinforcement of the pihet, the interior of which is striated in the form of a grid.
the top of the pihet is adorned with a circular arc motif, the edges of which are also in scale.
These patterns are two-tone, red and black.
BdG-2013-3-mougneres - Pihet top table
Ladder decorations on both edges, the center and the top of the pihet.
the two scales surrounding the TM playing holes are connected alternately by double scale patterns and stylized stars.
The center ladder ends in an arc around the TSM play hole.
the top of the pihet is adorned with a circular arc motif, the edges of which are also in scale.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2013-3-mougneres - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
SIn this profile we can distinguish a diamond pattern of red color whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another motif representing two adjoining scales.
The vertices in the shape of a triangle are not delimited by the last bar of the scale pattern
but by each of the last rungs of the ladders where they meet.
There is a second pattern in the shape of a stylized bird in black color.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2013-3-mougneres - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
On this profile we can distinguish a diamond pattern of red color whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another motif representing two adjoining scales. It should be noted that this pattern overflows on the scale forming the side.
Only one of the two vertices is terminated in the form of a triangle delimited by the last bar of the ladder pattern.
There is a second pattern in the shape of a stylized bird in black color.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2012-2-padera - Pihet top table
Ladder decorations on both edges, the center and the top of the pihet.
the two ladders surrounding the TM's playing holes are connected alternately by double ladder patterns and arrows.
The center ladder ends in an arc around the TSM play hole.
the top of the pihet is adorned with a triangle whose edges are also in scale.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2012-2-padera - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
On this profile we can distinguish a diamond pattern of red color whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another double ladder pattern that encroaches on the ladders that form the sides.
Each vertex forms a triangle delimited by the last bar of the ladder pattern.
This motif is found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
BdG-2012-2-padera - Profile of the melodic pipe of the pihet
On this profile we can distinguish a diamond pattern of red color whose edges are in the form of a scale.
It is shared in the middle by another motif representing two adjoining scales.
Each vertex forms a triangle delimited by a bar added beyond the scale pattern.
There is a second pattern in the shape of a stylized bird in black color.
These patterns can be found on the following copies: BdG-2015-4-dupin, BdG-2013-3-mougneres and BdG-2012-2-padera.
POLYCHROMY ON THE BLOWPIPE
BdG-2013-3-mougneres - Blowpipe
On this blowpipe there are two series of lines, one straight and the other oblique, separated and bordered by simple lines.
This decoration goes all the way around the windshield. The set is made in red wax.
POLYCHROMY ON THE STUM OF THE WIND HOLDER
BdG-2013-3-mougneres - Blowpipe stump
The stump of the blowpipe described above comprises a series of straight lines bordered by single lines.
This decoration goes all the way around the windshield. The set is made in red wax.
