sloth unleashed

fineart.ha.com

Native Silver "wires" have been known for as long as mining has taken place in this part of the 'Ore Mountains' (Freiberg was founded in 1186) and there has been a erratic production of them over the centuries. Re-unification of the two Germanys resulted in many things magically appearing from the backs of closets and under beds. Some of them were Wire Silvers. Freiberg Wire Silvers differ from some others, Kongsberg ones for example, in that they grow from a matrix of Acanthite: Silver Sulfide. This example still shows a tiny remnant of that material on the base of the wire. The two branches rising from the base, become three and then wind their way sinuously to form an 'Art Nouveau' sculpture. Without straightening, the group measures around 4.125 inches (10.5 cm) in height, from the Acanthite at the base to the top of the branches.