– from a private collection
Ave Rose created the Butterfly Dream Machine February 2016. She took twenty of the largest most beautiful butterflies from around the world and transformed them into individual articulated mechanical mini sculptures adorned with Victorian filigree and precious gemstones. Built into a giant fantasy machine these mechanical butterflies can be brought back to life with the use of a magical hand crank in a stunning spectacle lit with glowing quartz crystals and vintage vacuum tubes. A large antique brass butterfly on the top of the machine can be turned to activate an enchanted music box. The base of the machine has a mysterious locked wooden cabinet. Whoever earns the key will gain access to a sacred maker’s journal holding the secrets of the machine.
Materials: 18 butterflies, 2 diurnal moths that mimic butterflies, rubies, amethyst, pink sapphires, citrine, terminated quartz crystals, 14k gold, sterling silver, custom designed brass filigree, peacock feather, partridge feather, antique clock springs, antique ink well, antique brass butterfly, antique iron lock, vacuum tubes, a programmable 20 hour rechargeable light system, music box that plays “Try to Remember, and a1927 book of adventure short stories. Measures 4ft x 2ft x 2ft.
(Created 2016)
