The Furst – Banwell Designs

Description

Based on both the engraving by Paulus Fürst done in 1656 in Rome, as well as a leather reproduction mask in the Steno Museum in Aarhus, Denmark, “The Furst” is Tom’s “first” plague doctor mask creation. The Furst is all hand-stitched and has a 6″ long beak. The leather is the finest top grain vegetable tanned cowhide. The eyepieces have acrylic lenses that are sewn in place.

The only change Tom made to this model from the historical designs was to move the eyepieces toward the front of the face so that the wearer can actually see out of them whereas the historical reproduction at Steno Museum and Furst’s engraving had the eyes pointing out to the sides.

The mask has an adjustable strap around the back of the head that fastens with a buckle and is attached to the mask with rivets. There is also a strap that runs across the top of the head to make it easier to wear.

Historical Plague Doctors That Tom Based "The Furst" Plague Doctor Mask On

The Furst Photo Gallery

Out in the Wild

The Furst was featured in the 2012 movie Armynel, the movie “Hurricane” by Jared Leto & Thirty Seconds To Mars, and the WGN TV Show “Salem”.

Posters

How It Was Made

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Making of The Furst Plague Doctor Mask part 1 of 4

“I’ve recently had several requests for a Plague Doctor’s mask, and as it appeals to my sense of beauty I’ve begun working out a pattern…”

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Making of The Furst Plague Doctor Mask

part 2 of 4

“I have altered the first pattern in several places to make this revised mask. I eliminated the center forehead seam and replaced it with two temple seams which…”