Helmeted Hornbill Pair

This sculpture was modelled on the critically endangered Helmeted Hornbills' way of life. Here we see the husband flying back with a fig in his beak for his wife in the nest. The silver parts are hand raised, hammered, soldered, constructed, riveted, engraved and partly oxidised. Beaks & casques are 18kt yellow gold, hand raised, soldered, engraved and enamelled. The stainless-steel springs inside allow for movement of the neck. The eyes of both birds are set with carnelian.