Peregrine Falcon
English, 20th Century
Life size sculpture of a Peregrine Falcon in platinum, gold and sterling silver, the lanyard of gold with platinum swivel, the stand of gold, silver and carbon steel, all set with cabochon rubies, emeralds and sapphires, the standing bird with wings raised and tail feathers spread. The stand set in a rose porphyry block on a black marble base. Commissioned and made in England, 1985-1988.
Total Height 33″ (84cm), including rose porphyry base.
Length 18 ″ (46cm), from head to tail.
Wing Span 22″ (56cm), wings not fully extended.
This work was commissioned by a connoisseur of sculpture in the 1980s, with the intention of producing something contemporary to rank with the very best sculpture of earlier periods, and reflecting his love of, and fascination with, birds of prey. A number of artists, jewellers and specialists in precious metals were involved in the production of this remarkable piece, inspired by and under the direction of the patron. The quality of this sculpture relates particularly to the bronze sculptures of the Meiji period in Japan, and in the use of precious metals it is akin to objects commissioned for Royal Courts in Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The 'Kniphausen Hawk', of 1697, at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, is a particularly apt comparison, as an example of a very similar subject.
The body is of sterling silver, the feathers overlaid with platinum and 24 carat gold. The eyes are of dark crystal, edged with 24 carat gold. The ‘cere’ of the beak is of 24 carat gold. The feet and talons are of 18 carat gold (this being used instead of 24 carat gold because it is stronger, in order to more firmly support the body). The tongue is of 14 carat red gold. The braided chain of the lanyard is of 24 carat gold, and is over 47 inches long (1,20m). It is set with 11 cabochon sapphires and 19 rubies, with 54 antique ruby beads on the ends of the tassels and jesses. Its swivel is of platinum, with a cabochon ruby set in each end. The stand is of sterling silver and 24 carat gold, the rim set with 27 cabochon sapphires, the bands beneath set with 12 cabochon emeralds and fifteen cabochon rubies.
The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal, the extraordinary speed of 389 kph (242 mph) having been recorded for a peregrine falcon in a hunting dive, or 'stoop', in 2005. A normal diving speed for the bird is about 320 kph (200 mph), and it has special bones in its nasal cavity and a third eyelid, in order to protect it from the effects of such speed. It is found all over the world except for the very hottest and coldest climates and is believed to have existed as a species for over 5 million years. It has been associated with man as a hunter for over 3,000 years. It was named in 1771, for its migratory habits, the word 'peregrine' derived from the Latin for wandering.
Meiji metalwork is often regarded as being the finest ever produced, and an interesting comparison to the present sculpture is a set of twelve bronze falcons by the famous Japanese sculptor, Chokichi Suzuki, which were exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893 and are now in the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. These are of the very highest quality, and are all different, but significantly all but one have folded wings, and those of the one exception are only partially raised. The present sculpture is more boldly conceived, with wings and tail spread, as though just about to take off.
Specifications.
Body :- 15,000 grams sterling silver (925/1000 oxidised). Feathers overlaid with platinum and 24 carat gold.
Feet and Talons :- 900 Grams of 18 carat gold ( 750/1000). (As stated above, 18 carat gold was used instead of 24 carat gold because of its greater strength, needed to support the considerable weight of the body.)
Eyes :- Dark crystal set in 24 carat gold (999.9/1000).
Tongue :- 14 carat red gold (585/1000).
The Lanyard :- 2575 grams of 24 carat gold (999.9/1000). The traditional ‘loop in loop’ quarter inch (6mm) braided chain is over 47 inches long (1,20m), and has 11 cabochon sapphires and 19 rubies set into the finials and bobbin with further 54 antique ruby beads on the ends of the tassel and jesses. The swivel is platinum (950/1000) with a cabochon ruby set in each end.
The Support and Stand :- 3500 grams of sterling silver (925/1000). It is wrapped with 4 bands of 24 carat gold (999.99/1000), into which are set 27 cabochon sapphires, 15 cabochon rubies and 12 cabochon emeralds. There is a blued and finely tapered carbon steel shaft through the centre (to support the massive weight of the Bird), which slots into the ‘boulder’ of rose porphyry, set on a square black marble plinth.
