gifts for artists

The legend of the dragon and the pearl inspires Seji Taram as he carves a sculpture of powerful beauty. Kinabalu the dragon guarded a grand pearl that the Chinese Emperor desired. He sent Wee Ping and Wee San to get the pearl to retrieve it, and Wee San plotted a way to trick the dragon and steal the pearl by waiting until Kinabalu went out for food. Then the brothers would fly to the top of the mountain on a kite, take the pearl and replace it with a fake. However, Kinabalu wasn't fooled, and he went after the brothers, who were now on their ship. As the dragon approached, Wee San ordered the dragon be shot with the cannon and Kinabalu, thinking the cannon ball was his precious pearl, swallowed it and died. Wee Ping lied and said it had been him who had come up with the plan, and that it was he, not his brother, who managed to steal it from the dragon. Wee San wanted no more trouble over the silly pearl, so he said nothing and left China. Eventually he became the happy ruler of the Brunei. Wee Ping was not so lucky, for his lying brought him nothing but sadness.

With an elegant stance the samurai prepares for attack in a handsome sculpture by Eka. She treats suar wood to achieve a darker hue to accentuate the mystique that surrounds the legendary warrior.

"I want to show an elephant's happy feelings. It's real!" Thailand's Amporn presents a lifelike pachyderm with tusks carved from ivorywood.

Joining hands, a couple dances a slow waltz of love. Eka conveys the depth of their devotion, the understanding that joins two hearts as one. Suar wood's rich grain enhances the signature sculpture.

Love turns hearts head over heels in this inspiring sculpture from Bali's Eka. The sculpture is carved by hand featuring the natural grain of suar wood.

Smooth natural stone shows its sleek allure in a pyramid by Cesar Gonzales. Sculpted of a beautiful combination of gemstones, the piece is designed to attract the positive and repel negativity. Blue-green chrysocolla, warm brown aragonite and white calcite crown the pyramid while jasper is the central stone. Beneath, green serpentine, chalcedony with leopard spots and black onyx complete the sculpture.

This outstanding suar wood carving by Nyoman Karsa demonstrates the artisan's consummate ability to create abstract scenes full of emotion and energy. Displaying a man and woman engaged in a sensuous kiss, the sinuous contours of the piece mesh the two bodies together, representing the united soul of two people in love. A romantic piece that makes a perfect gift for that special someone.

Peruvian artist Cesar Gonzales combines five natural gemstones to create this stunning obelisk statuette. With aragonite and serpentine for health and energy, onyx and jasper for protection and serenity, and angelite to increase perception and bring consciousness of thecelestial world, this work of art is created to bring peace and prosperity to the home.

A lovers' embrace imbues this sculpture with the power of intimacy. Holding each other tight, their bodies blend into the fascinating grain of suar wood. Wayan Rendah passionately carves the intertwined bodies of the loving couple. His exquisite artistry defines every detail of this work, embellished by the rich polished texture of the wood.

This rugged digger is sculpted by Mexico's Armando Ramírez from an intriguing collection of scrap metal pieces and auto parts. The cabin, for example, is built with thick wire, metal sheets, screws and a pulley. It also features a rocker arm from a car's ignition system, and pieces that were left over from a die machine as well as industrial bearings. The front and rear shovels are forged from metal sheets, die pieces and screws.

Please note it is the artist's intention not to give his sculptures a fine polished finish, therefore smudges and scratches may be present.

A skeletal figure, she stands with her hands raised in the posture of women who die in childbirth. Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association sculpt the image of Coatlicue, "She of the serpent skirt." The Mexica earth goddess and mother of the gods, her image bears the symbol "Eight Malinalli, or "grass." Her son Huitzilopochtli, the sun god and god of war, defended her from the powers of the night.

By Duangkamol, these whimsical figurines depict a mother duck and three charming ducklings. The Thai artisan works in cool green celadon ceramic to create the charming family.