Designing Scrolls Based on PHI (the Golden Mean)?

[mdengraver]

This website has an interesting article about scrolls. Maybe Ron Smith or one of the more experienced engravers can answer my question concerning scrolls. To what extent do engraved scrolls follow the idealized golden mean based on phi? I noticed Sam has info at his website touching this subject a little. When designing scrolls how much does one need to consider the idealized golden mean? By the way, the article at the website below discusses this subject somewhat. I wonder how much the golden mean applies to designing for engravers, and how accurately do scroll designs need to mimic the nautilus shell for example?
The article below seems to imply the most important thing to consider in the end is how successful the design is, not any pre-subscribed design criteria.

http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/scroll.htm
The link to Sams' discussion of the Golden Mean is provided below:
http://www.igraver.com/goldenmean.shtml

 

[coincutter]

I second that request. I have a sneaking suspicion that none of them emply such math in any design, it's just built into their brain and comes out naturally as it does with nature. But I could be wrong.....

 

[Weldon47]

Knowing about the "Golden Mean" explains why some scrolls look "right" and why some don't. Personally, I do not consciously rely on the rule when laying out my scroll work though it is there subconsciously. It is also possible to break the rule but you have to be careful not to end up with a clashing, unpleasing effect. Thinking about this in musical terms, a major cord is composed of notes at specific intervals that blend together to make a pleasing sound (a chord). Change an interval(bending a rule) and you can end up with a minor chord; the dissonance is pleasing though different in tone, timbre and feel when compared to a major chord. To totally violate the rule and play chords made up of random notes would produce neither resonance or dissonance but a clashing of tones, very unpleasing to the ear. Following these guidelines should result in a harmonious layout that is effective and pleasing to the eye.

Food for thought,

Weldon

 

[sam]

I don't design scrollwork with the golden ratio in mind, but it's certainly a good thing to be aware of. If nothing else, it's a fascinating subject. Once you become aware of it, you see it literally everywhere, from art to photography, sculpture, architecture...and of course nature.

Here's Weldon's engraving with the golden ratio superimposed over it.

 

[mdengraver]

Thanks for responding. I thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation.