Currently on display/for sale at Emma Hawkins, Dover Street Market, Dover Street, London
Basilisk
The basilisk (from the Greek basiliskos meaning little king), is a legendary bird-reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance. Leonardo da Vinci included a basilisk in his Bestiary, saying it is so utterly cruel that when it cannot kill animals by its baleful gaze, it turns upon herbs and plants, and fixing its gaze on them withers them up.
Percy Bysshe Shelley in his "Ode to Naples" alludes to the basilisk:
"Be thou like the imperial basilisk,
Killing thy foe with unapparent wounds!
Gaze on oppression, till at that dread risk,
Aghast she pass from the earth's disk.
Fear not, but gaze,- for freemen mightier grow,
And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe."
basilisk from the side
basilisk view showing serpent tail
basilisk detail
basilisk turning - detail
basilisk crop detail
basilisk plumage detail
basilisk - claw decoration detail
The basilisk (from the Greek basiliskos meaning little king), is a legendary bird-reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power of causing death by a single glance. Leonardo da Vinci included a basilisk in his Bestiary, saying it is so utterly cruel that when it cannot kill animals by its baleful gaze, it turns upon herbs and plants, and fixing its gaze on them withers them up.
Percy Bysshe Shelley in his "Ode to Naples" alludes to the basilisk:
"Be thou like the imperial basilisk,
Killing thy foe with unapparent wounds!
Gaze on oppression, till at that dread risk,
Aghast she pass from the earth's disk.
Fear not, but gaze,- for freemen mightier grow,
And slaves more feeble, gazing on their foe."
Basilisk
Materials:
Pure Silver
wire, 9ct gold wire, acid-free paper, gesso, shellac
lacquer, gold leaf, antique feathers.
lacquer, gold leaf, antique feathers.
basilisk from the side
basilisk view showing serpent tail
basilisk detail
basilisk turning - detail
basilisk crop detail
basilisk plumage detail
basilisk - claw decoration detail
All
Photographs
on this page by CS
Stevens
other wire
creatures