Reliquary for the Four Elements

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Product Description for Reliquary for the Four Elements

Maker: Tom Sterling (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 87238
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Item weight: 28.25 oz.
Size: Approximately 4 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Description: Reliquary for the Four Elements is undoubtedly Tom Sterling's masterwork to date.
This fantasy reliquary is a playful take on medieval religious reliquaries. A glass dome and walnut base enclose and protect this one-of-a-kind artwork. Locked safely away, the reliquary contains a basilisk's egg hidden beneath a skeletal chicken. According to European legend, a basilisk is a reptile of unspeakable power whose glare turns the viewer to stone. A basilisk was born from a chicken's egg.
Earth, air, water, and fire, the four elements of the ancient world are juxtaposed throughout the reliquary. Runes for earth, water, and fire are inscribed around the rim. An antiqued copper medallion sits below and is inscribed with a King Lear quote: "Come not between the dragon and his wrath".
A bird's scull and neck were meticulously carved from moose antler. The bird wears a hand forged, antiqued copper helmet with mail hanging to protect the skeletal neck from the back. This sits on a hand forged copper dome that is locked with a forged copper clasp.
Unlocking the copper clasp allows the skeletal head to fall backward, revealing the basilisk's egg hidden beneath. The egg is carved moose antler. Unfortunately, upon closer examination, the egg has begun to hatch. A serpentine eye formed from double inlaid amber, and claws protrude from the cracking egg.
Exceptional work on a very original piece.


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