The Eternity of Remarkable Species
A collection raising awareness of the fragility of the worlds endangered species
The Eternity of Remarkable Species
A collection raising awareness of the fragility of the worlds endangered species
For our ‘Eternity of Remarkable Species‘ collection of bronze sculptures, we source species, such as the Western Lowland Gorilla, that are endangered or threatened by human impact. We want to put these species in a shining spotlight to raise awareness of their vulnerability, and beauty, at the same time.
We have been creating bronze sculptures for some time now, but our designs have always been inspired by animalesque features. We decided to explore this affinity of ours by creating a collection that is very true to ourselves, a collection raising awareness of the fragility of the worlds endangered species.
With this collection that we call the ‘Eternity of Remarkable Species’, we capture timeless species that are facing extinction in the form of bronze sculptures. The astonishing fleeting beauty of these endangered animals is solidified into a static, eternal state of bronze, welded at over 2000 degrees Celsius.
We donate a percentage of our proceeds to NGOs and corporations working to preserve the species that make are a part of this collection.
For our ‘Eternity of Remarkable Species‘ collection of bronze sculptures, we source species, such as the Western Lowland Gorilla, that are endangered or threatened by human impact. We want to put these species in a shining spotlight to raise awareness of their vulnerability, and beauty, at the same time.
We have been creating bronze sculptures for some time now, but our designs have always been inspired by animalesque features. We decided to explore this affinity of ours by creating a collection that is very true to ourselves, a collection raising awareness of the fragility of the worlds endangered species.
With this collection that we call the ‘Eternity of Remarkable Species’, we capture timeless species that are facing extinction in the form of bronze sculptures. The astonishing fleeting beauty of these endangered animals is solidified into a static, eternal state of bronze, welded at over 2000 degrees Celsius.
We would like to donate a percentage of our proceeds to NGOs or corporations working to preserve the species of this collection. Feel free to drop us a message if you have any recommendations.
The Sumatran Tiger
A large factor that contributes to the critical status of this species is the unsustainable demand for natural resources created by the fastest growing human population of Indonesia. This, in addition to a government initiative to increase tree-crop plantations such as palm oil and acacia plantations, as well as high-intensity commercial logging, ultimately promoting forest fires, all contribute to a decrease in the population. Illegal trade in Tiger parts also contributes to their critically endangered status.
The Sumatran Tiger
The Sumatran Tiger is one of the many Tigers that are threatened by human impact. They are critically endangered, with less than 400 surviving in small patches of Sumatra today.
A large factor that contributes to the critical status of this species is the unsustainable demand for natural resources created by the fastest growing human population of Indonesia. This, in addition to a government initiative to increase tree-crop plantations such as palm oil and acacia plantations, as well as high-intensity commercial logging, ultimately promoting forest fires, all contribute to a decrease in the population. Illegal trade in Tiger parts also contributes to their critically endangered status.
The Gharial Crocodile
The Gharial is a fish-eating crocodile, native to sandy freshwater river banks in the plains of the Northern Indian subcontinent. Today, its distribution is limited to only 2% of what it used to be. The animal is hunted for its unproven medicinal ingredients, its habitat is degraded and its prey is decreasing.
The Gharial Crocodile
The Gharial is a fish-eating crocodile, native to sandy freshwater river banks in the plains of the Northern Indian subcontinent. Today, its distribution is limited to only 2% of what it used to be. The animal is hunted for unproven medicinal ingredients, its habitat is degraded and its prey is decreasing.
In light to raise awareness of this incredible, yet endangered creature, the Gharial is our newest addition to our Eternity of Remarkable Species collection.
Since bronze is a very labour- and eco- intensive raw material, our Gharial is made from upcycled bronze pipelines. Repurposing this existing material saves large amounts of Co2 emmissions.
The Western
Lowland Gorilla
And as our global population increases, so does our demand for crops, livestock and Timber. In return, the natural habitat of the Western Lowland Gorilla decreases, too. This has forced Gorilla’s to excavate beyond their natural habitat and raid crops, making that they are currently seen as a ‘pest’ to the landowners.
Of all Western Gorilla species, the Lowland Gorilla is the smallest of the four Gorilla subspecies. And while it might be small, its impact is tremendous. What many of us don’t realise is that the extinction of gorillas will affect us, too. The reason for this is that Gorilla’s disperse seeds. Their carrying of seeds from one area to another is a valuable trait that is beneficial to countless animals in the forest. This means that without gorilla’s to disperse the seeds needed, not only will the gorilla’s become extinct, but so will many other animals. This could destroy entire ecosystems in the long run.
The Western
Lowland Gorilla
The Western Lowland Gorilla is named after the lowland swamps and forests that it inhabits in Central Africa. Once roaming free in a natural habitat, there are many threats to this species that now put its existence in danger.
Among other things, they are hunted illegally for their meat and skins, captured to be sold off to zoos and the young sold as pets. This puts this species at risk.
And as our global population increases, so does our demand for crops, livestock and Timber. In return, the natural habitat of the Western Lowland Gorilla decreases, too. This has forced Gorilla’s to excavate beyond their natural habitat and raid crops, making that they are currently seen as a ‘pest’ to the landowners.
Of all Western Gorilla species, the Lowland Gorilla is the smallest of the four Gorilla subspecies. And while it might be small, its impact is tremendous. What many of us don’t realise is that the extinction of gorillas will affect us, too. The reason for this is that Gorilla’s disperse seeds. Their carrying of seeds from one area to another is a valuable trait that is beneficial to countless animals in the forest. This means that without gorilla’s to disperse the seeds needed, not only will the gorilla’s become extinct, but so will many other animals. This could destroy entire ecosystems in the long run.
The Great Hornbill
The Great Hornbill is a magical bird, the largest of the Hornbill species. It inhabits the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting have made that the great hornbill is evaluated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Whilst we have great respect for tribes, there are some traditional beliefs that actually threaten the birds existence. The flesh is believed to have medicinal properties and the young birds are considered a delicacy. Tribesmen in parts of northeastern India and Borneo use the feathers for head-dresses, and the skulls are often worn as decorations.
The Great Hornbill
The Great Hornbill is called homrai in Nepal (hence the name of the Himalayan subspecies) and banrao, both meaning “king of the forest“.
The Great Hornbill is a magical bird, the largest of the Hornbill species. It inhabits the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, habitat loss and hunting have made that the great hornbill is evaluated as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Whilst we have great respect for tribes, there are some traditional beliefs that actually threaten the birds existence. The flesh is believed to have medicinal properties and the young birds are considered a delicacy. Tribesmen in parts of northeastern India and Borneo use the feathers for head-dresses, and the skulls are often worn as decorations.
The Mako Shark
It is widely known that sharks are hunted by the world’s largest predator: humans. Our decisions these last few decades have made that shark populations are becoming more vulnerable as the moments pass by. The Mako Shark, now an endangered species, is symbolic of the many sharks that are impacted on a daily basis.
But since the Mako Shark is one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, it is also one of the most sought after shark to hunt among trophy fishermen. With our polished bronze jaw, we want to show that the shark is just as majestic and impactful in the form of a bronze sculpture as caught on a fishing hook.
The Mako Shark
It is widely known that sharks are hunted by the world’s largest predator: humans. Our decisions these last few decades have made that shark populations are becoming more vulnerable as the moments pass by. The Mako Shark, now an endangered species, is symbolic of the many sharks that are impacted on a daily basis.
But since the Mako Shark is one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, it is also one of the most sought after shark to hunt among trophy fishermen. With our polished bronze jaw, we want to show that the shark is just as majestic and impactful in the form of a bronze sculpture as caught on a fishing hook.
The Saltwater Crocodile
The Saltwater Crocodile may not be a vulnerable crocodile species, but it is symbolic for the many Crocodile species that are vulnerable or threatened on the IUCN Red List. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Chinese and Philippine crocodiles. With less than 100 adults in the wild, the most endangered crocodile in the world is the Philippine crocodile.
There is no one direct cause for the decline of crocodilian populations around the world. Depending on the species, there are some common factors that have had an effect on wild populations. These factors are habitat destruction, hunting for skins to produce luxury design bags, hunting for meat, dysfunctional human interaction and even competition between species living in the same habitats.
The Saltwater Crocodile
The Saltwater Crocodile may not be the a vulnerable crocodile species, but it is symbolic for the many Crocodile species that are vulnerable or threatened on the IUCN Red List. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Chinese and Philippine crocodiles. With less than 100 adults in the wild, the most endangered crocodile in the world is the Philippine crocodile.
There is no one direct cause for the decline of crocodilian populations around the world. Depending on the species, there are some common factors that have had an effect on wild populations. These factors are: habitat destruction, hunting for skins to produce luxury design bags, hunting for meat, disfunctional human interaction and even competition between species living in the same habitats.
The Saltwater Crocodile is the largest of the crocodile species, capable of reaching up to 7 meters in length. Its power and solid state are undefeatable. We like to appreciate its beauty from a stunning static state of polished bronze instead.
Babirusa
The babirusa, which translates to “deer-pig” in Indonesian is part of the Swine family that is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This remarkable species is known for its prehistoric appearance due to its prominant tusks. Sometimes they grow so far inwards that they pierce the skin! Prehistoric paintings of babirusa have been found in caves on the island of Sulawesi that date back to 35,400 years (to the ice age Pleistocene epoch).
All species of babirusa are currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List and thus killing them is illegal in most cases. Unfortunately, poaching for their bush meat as well as skull remains the biggest threat to the babirusa. And it doesnt help that the commercial logging of their habitat reduces cover, making the babirusa more exposed to poachers. Low conservation awareness, widespread poverty (creating incentive to kill for money) and poor law enforcement add insult to injury.
The babirusa seek shelter in the Nantu Forest Reserve, one of Sulawesi’s few remaining rainforests. The reserve is surrounded by more than a thousand small farmers, and with local income levels being as low as $70 a month, these villagers as well as outsiders turn to destructive forest practises such as rafting illegal timber, illegal gold-mining, slash-and-burn forest clearance and wildlife poaching for income. It’s safe to say that poverty is directly contributing to climate change. Helping communities like these lift out of poverty and creating alternative, environmentally sustainable practises such as cacao-farming and promoting ecotourism could promise future horizons.
YANI (nantuforest.org) is an example of an NGO that does just this. By cooperating closely with the communities that live around Nantu Forest, they have initiated several agricultural projects (such as cacao farming) that are succesfully generating income. Strengthening the economic position of these communities means creating sustainable alternatives for harvesting from the forest that sustains instead of destruct (wild)life. YANI is also actively seeking to make the Nantu Forest more accessible to ecotourism as a means to generate alternative modes of income for local communities. Much like the Gunung Leuser National Park in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra is trying to do this as well.
In light to raise awareness of the vulnerability of this species, and in an attempt to make the unique skull accessible to all collectors without it being the real thing, we have created a life sized 1:1 polished bronze babirusa skull. Made from recycled bronze parts. Just as magnificent, less of an impact.
Babirusa
The babirusa, which translates to “deer-pig” in Indonesian is part of the Swine family that is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This remarkable species is known for its prehistoric appearance due to its prominant tusks. Sometimes they grow so far inwards that they pierce the skin! Prehistoric paintings of babirusa have been found in caves on the island of Sulawesi that date back to 35,400 years (to the ice age Pleistocene epoch).
All species of babirusa are currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List and thus killing them is illegal in most cases. Unfortunately, poaching for their bush meat as well as skull remains the biggest threat to the babirusa. And it doesnt help that the commercial logging of their habitat reduces cover, making the babirusa more exposed to poachers. Low conservation awareness, widespread poverty (creating incentive to kill for money) and poor law enforcement add insult to injury.
YANI (nantuforest.org) is an NGO that is working to protect the babirusa. By cooperating closely with the communities that live around Nantu Forest, they have initiated several agricultural projects (such as cacao farming) that are successfully generating income. Strengthening the economic position of these communities means creating sustainable alternatives for harvesting from the forest that sustains instead of destructing (wild)life. YANI is also actively seeking to make the Nantu Forest more accessible to ecotourism as a means to generate alternative modes of income for local communities. Much like the Gunung Leuser National Park in Bukit Lawang, Sumatra is trying to do this as well.
In light to raise awareness of the vulnerability of this species, and in an attempt to make the unique skull accessible to all collectors without it being the real thing, we have created a life sized 1:1 polished bronze babirusa skull. Made from recycled bronze parts. Just as magnificent, less of an impact.
Polar Bear
Actually a marine mammal, these bears are a classic example of how human decisions can directly adversely affect other species. Their vulnerable status is due to their compromised living environment. Climate change, pollution in the form of toxic contaminants, conflict with shipping, oil and gas exploration and human-bear interactions including recreational polar-bear watching are the main stressors.
Polar Bear
Actually a marine mammal, these bears are a classic example of how human decisions can directly adversely affect other species. Their vulnerable status is due to their compromised living environment. Climate change, pollution in the form of toxic contaminants, conflict with shipping, oil and gas exploration and human-bear interactions including recreational polar-bear watching are the main stressors.