This sculpture was modelled on wandering albatross dancing. The main material used is Britannia silver with some sterling silver. It was hand raised, constructed, soldered and riveted. Partly oxidised stainless-steel springs were used inside for the movement of the necks and heads. And the beaks were made with 9kt red gold and the eyes were set with onyx. The base is made of fibreboard, glue and coffee grounds.
Length 27 cm
Width 13 cm
Height 5.5 cm
Length 7.5 cm
Width 12.5 cm
Height 4.5 cm
©Joël Degen
©Hersilia Leoca
©Hersilia Leoca
©Hersilia Leoca
Rie Taniguchi
- Silversmith
- London, United Kingdom
- Master Artisan
©Jason K. Reitenberger
Fantastical kingdom of jewellery
- • Rie's techniques were perfected at London Guildhall University
- • She makes patterns for casting in silver
- • Environment and wildlife are some of her main interests
Rie Taniguchi, a Japanese born artist living and working in London, started silversmithing and jewellery making because she thought that “it would be more practical and useful than making art”. Using a mixture of techniques such as press forming, raising, constructing and carving with silver, she makes objects to admire as well as wear. Animals are one of her favourite subjects but her work is also influenced by the environment, the wildlife, folk tales, myths and memories from her childhood. She draws a lot which often leads her into deciding what to make – smaller pieces directly in silver while for the bigger ones she also makes paper and copper models – each process is different and can take anything between a week and six months.
Read the full interviewWorks
Photo: ©Joël Degen
Albatross Dance
Photo: ©Joël Degen
Gold Hummie
This brooch was inspired by hummingbirds. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds, many of which are threatened, and so this is a generic and abstract form of the bird family. The main material is 18kt yellow gold, press formed, hammered, soldered, constructed, riveted, engraved and enamelled. The eyes are set with onyx. Stainless-steel springs are used inside for movement of the head, and hinges for movement of the wings. The pins are made of stainless steel. It is a one-off piece.
Length 5.2 cm
Width 5.2 cm
Height 2 cm
Photo: ©Joël Degen
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.
Length 20 cm
Width 35 cm
Height 42 cm
Length 23 cm
Width 15.5 cm
Height 5 cm
Photo: ©Joël Degen
Ornate Eagle Ray
This necklace is modelled on the endangered ornate eagle ray. Once common, their largest threat is demersal fisheries. Despite this worrying status, there is no species-specific conservation measures in place. The two-part pattern is made in silver by press forming, hammering, constructing, soldering, piercing and etching. Then two moulds are made and cast in silver in two parts, then soldered, textured and gold plated.
Length 9 cm
Width 1.2 cm
Height 14.5 cm
Photo: ©Joël Degen
Slender-billed Vulture
This Britannia silver sculpture is modelled on one of the critically endangered species of vultures, the slender-billed vulture, represented in a horaltic pose. The piece is hand raised, hammered, constructed, soldered, riveted, engraved and oxidised. Sterling silver is used for the legs and rivets. The eyes are set with onyx. A stainless steel spring inside allows for movement of the neck and head. The base is shaped like a cross to symbolise the status of vultures. Vultures warm their bodies and dry their wings in this pose in the morning.
Length 22 cm
Width 12 cm
Height 30 cm
You may also like
Organised by
Under the high patronage of
In partnership with
