Owl in Flight — bronze sculpture on a marble base

A barn owl spreads its wings wide in the instant before landing — the facial disc turned straight towards the viewer, the gaze steady and unblinking. The wings are reduced to two large, softly curved planes with the rhythm of the flight feathers marked along the edges, making the form both recognisable and strongly simplified. The symmetrical composition gives the piece a monumental, almost heraldic presence. The sculpture is handmade: cast in bronze, then hand-worked and hand-patinated.

This is handcrafted work in which the finish carries the expression — the warm patina shifts gradually from coppery brown across the wings to a lighter gold on the head and beak. It is applied by hand in layers, so these transitions of colour settle a little differently on every casting. The bronze is mounted on a rectangular base of black marble with white veining, which contrasts with the warmth of the metal. The wide, striking form needs room to breathe — it shows best on a console, mantelpiece, sideboard or in a lit display cabinet, and its imagery of wisdom and vigilance makes it an exceptional gift.