Birds Of Rhiannon, Acid Etched Goose Eggshell With Aged Metal Patina

A Celtic image of the birds of Rhiannon ( The Welsh Goddess Rhiannon Great Queen was accompanied by totem birds whose songs could awaken the dead & lull the living to sleep. Birds possessed supernatural powers, & throughout Celtic myths, divine entities frequently shape-shift between human & bird form. Birds are a potent force in Celtic mythology, often symbolizing the flight of spirits to the Otherworld.) This work was done using the technique of acid etching where the design is protected with wax or varnish & the eggshell is immersed in dilute hydrochloric acid. The calcium carbonate of the shell is attacked by the acid except for the design which was protected. After etching the design stands out in relief against the etched background. Afterwards the egg is painted black then a metallic patina is painstakingly applied by finger to obtain the aged metal effect. A bit of chemistry, a dose of art & lots of patience. It looks exactly like solid metal but in reality it only weighs a few grammes. This unique creation is shipped in a very solid box with double packaging to maximise security. Dimensions: height 9cm width 6cm weight 18g Birds Of Rhiannon, Acid Etched Goose Eggshell With Aged Metal Patina