A limited edition in fine porcelain, crafted by master sculptor, David Fryer. Three Oryx are available from davidfryerstudios.co.uk.
Three Oryx are one of the finest works of art to emanate from David Fryer's studios. Every tiny brush-stroke is lovingly applied to create this typical example of the Oryx, whilst the natural 'flow' of the sculpture means it's a real pleasure to study from any angle.
The processes involved in the creation of a sculpture of this brilliance are extremely complex. From his original rough sketches, David Fryer 'breathes life into porcelain', sculpting and defining each muscle, each twist of the head, conveying the majesty of form to create a model that is technically accurate and artistically perfect. From modelling the original sculpture in wax, through casting, firing and painting, a variety of traditional techniques must be perfectly combined before the porcelain sculpture is complete.
The hallmark of a consummate artist
Together, these qualities bear witness to the consummate skill of a master craftsman, an artist at ease with his medium. Now you can acquire one of the rarest and beautiful creatures on the planet, delicately portrayed in fine porcelain and incorporating the essence of its natural habitat.
The Oryx
The Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx (E), is the largest indigenous mammal species inhabiting the Jidda'. The few remaining animals retreated into the Rub al-Khali desert (the Empty Quarter) to escape from the hunter's gun. The last wild individuals in Arabia were killed and captured on the Jidda' in 1972 and the species was thought to be extinct. Since the reintroduction in 1980 of 10 individuals from captive USA breeding stocks, the freeranging herd has risen from 33 in 1986 to 161 in 1993.
The Arabian oryx is a medium-sized, white antelope, with black patches on its face, and dark legs. It stands about one metre high and has two gently curving horns, which are about 50cm in length. Its grace and beauty are legendary.
Before the beginning of the nineteenth century, oryx were abundant in all parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
In centuries past, images of the oryx probably gave rise to its more famous mythical counterpart -- the unicorn. This beast of legend had a horse's body and a single, long, spiral horn projecting from the middle of its forehead. A side view of the oryx, when seen from a distance, would seem to strengthen this image of legend, as the two, finely-carved horns may then seem to merge into one.
To many western writers, Arabia was seen as a land of charm and mystery. Because so little was known about it, travellers and poets often used it as the site of strange, mythological happenings. In the thirteenth century, Garillaume of Normandy wrote in his book, Le Besteare Divin, the now famous legend of the unicorn and the virgin -- how the beast could not be captured unless it laid its head in a damsel's lap. Only then would it lose its great ferocity and allow itself to be captured by the hunter.
Arab poets, too, extolled the beauty and grace of the oryx, often using these qualities metaphorically to compare the animal with a beautiful woman. The Bedouin believed that if a man captured an oryx, he could in some way capture for himself its virtues of strength, courage and endurance. There can be little doubt that there is something compelling about this beast, which makes it the source of such a wealth of poetry and legend.
But what of the real oryx? Thriving for many centuries in the Arabian desert, it is perfectly adapted to withstand an inhospitable climate and barren landscape. It has evolved the ability to go without water entirely and, if necessary, can survive for years without drinking. The animal satisfies its thirst by licking early morning dew which gathers on the leaves of desert plants, and by obtaining moisture from the plants themselves. Desert grasses, tamarisk, broomrape and desert gourd are all sources of food and liquid for the oryx. On the rare occasions of desert rainfall, an oryx herd can detect the rains from a far distance and can easily find the rainy area. Some zoologists believe that the body of the oryx contains a kind of built-in 'radar system', which enables it to do this.
The oryx has never been an easy animal to capture and has always presented a great challenge to the hunter. It proved difficult to track in the vast, empty desert landscape and, without the benefit of modern transport, capture and conveyance of the carcass were almost impossible.
There was virtually no wastage on the rare occasions when an oryx was successfully hunted. Every part of the animal, including horns, fat, skin and blood, served a useful purpose. Oryx meat was particularly prized, as it was believed to possess medicinal properties.
Many thanks to ArabNet for much of the above.
