18th century Italian hand-carved and gilded bird with a hand-carved wood head with calcite crystals in matrix on a cut optical calcite crystal base.
This fragment artifact is originally from a historical church in Tuscany. Birds are often a symbol of spiritual insight, protection, provision and divine strength. The head of the bird is hand-carved wood to replicate the original head. The bird rests in a natural matrix of calcite crystal to emulate the nest. The piece sits on a polished optical calcite base with gold inclusions coordinating with the matrix and gilded bird.
The calcite crystal cluster with sphalerite is from Elmwood Mine in Tennessee. It is an example of the world’s finest crystallized calcite. With the unusual formation of sphalerite, it is unequaled by those from any other part of the world (featured in American Mineral Treasures, pg. 337).
The Italian hand-carved bird and crystals are joined together creating an organic and historical yet contemporary, sculptural piece.
Size: 11" high x 7" wide x 4" deep
