An elegant medium bronze Turtle shell, made from 100% recycled bronze parts. This sculpture is part of our Eternity of Remarkable Species collection where we capture the astonishing beauty of endangered animals in a static state. Well aware of the direct impact of mankind on the environment, we create respectful alternatives to the authentic vulnerable species, such as the Softshell Turtle. Just as enchanting, less of an impact.

The Softshell Turtle

Let’s dive right into it: The conservation status of the Softshell Turtle is a controversial one! A Turtle species that used to live in abundance in the wild has now started to see a shrinking in population size. Throughout Asia, mostly in China, as well as being a multi-million dollar business, the consumption of their ‘exclusive’ meat is common as it is believed to have medicinal properties. This would all be well and manageable if there was still an abundance of this species. However, many of their wild kind are captured to breed and start Softshell ‘farms’, despite the availability of farmed ones. Additionally, wild-caught breeding stock is preferred by farmers, which may create an incentive for turtle hunters to seek and catch the last remaining wild specimens. So their vulnerable status is partially to blame for their widespread consumption. For this reason, we created a Turtle Shell made from 100% recycled bronze. Just as enchanting, less of an impact.

About the collection

This sculpture is part of our Eternity of Remarkable Species collection where we capture the astonishing beauty of endangered animals in a static state. For this collection, we source species, such as the Softshell Turtle, 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. 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. Just as enchanting, less of an impact.

Dimensions

Total dimensions including stand:
Height: 32.5cm / 13 inches
Length (left to right): 25cm / 10 inches
Width (front to back): 6.5cm / 2.6 inches
Weight: +/- 2kgs / 4.4 pounds

Dutch Design

Designer: Jake Richmond / Dutch Design
Concept: Eva van Stekelenburg
Origin: Indonesia
Date/Period: 2020
Materials: Recycled Bronze, V-Legal MDF
The shell is displayed on a custom-fit black base, made from wood and steel. It cannot be detached from the base.

Sustainability

Our bronze sculptures are made from upcycled metals such as old pipelines. Our craftsmen and women collect this scrap waste which they then put in an oven at very high temperatures. Once the scrap waste pieces melt, the new raw material is ready to be used. We then use this virgin material to make our bronze sculptures. As bronze is a very eco and labour-intensive material to mine, we feel it makes much more sense to reuse the material that has already been created than to extract it – again. By doing so we are trying to close at least one waste loop.

Transparency & Who made it

Lastly, when it comes to our working conditions, we work exclusively with Indonesian craftsmen and women in both Bali and Java. This piece specifically was made in Java, Indonesia. All of our craftsmen and women get paid a living wage that exceeds what Indonesian Law requires. Their income is enough for a comfortable home, food, education, ceremonies, and more.

Questions?

Finally, if you still have any questions about the medium bronze Turtle shell, feel free to reach out to us email info@sooka.com and we will get back to you shortly.