{"product_id":"archibald-the-snowy-owl-ring","title":"Archibald - The Snowy Owl Ring","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuintin Quam Sr. | Zuni Pueblo | Monumental Pictorial Mosaic Inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis name is Archibald.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot Archie.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI cannot emphasize this enough.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYou may call him \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause look at this fucking owl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is not an owl who recently arrived.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an owl who was \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ealready here.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald is a Snowy Owl, sitting magnificently on his branch with those enormous yellow eyes, looking directly at us like we’ve interrupted a meeting we were not invited to.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd unlike Penelope, who has apparently turned her garden into an amusement park, or Arthur, who has achieved enlightenment through possession of one excellent branch, Archibald appears to be responsible for something.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI don’t know what.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut it’s important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis monumental pictorial ring is the work of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZuni artist Quintin Quam Sr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and once again Quam has essentially ignored the normal physical boundaries of what we traditionally call a ring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe face is approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethree inches long.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForty grams.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd right in the middle of this enormous silver field sits one spectacular Snowy Owl, assembled from individual pieces of shell and stone and surrounded by a riot of turquoise, lapis and multicolor geometric mosaic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s a portrait.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s a mosaic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s a miniature painting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd for reasons I deeply respect, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eit is also a size 9.5 ring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHY THIS PIECE MATTERS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLook at Archibald’s face.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat is where this piece begins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuam has given the owl those extraordinary yellow eyes surrounded by black markings against a predominantly white face.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen the detail continues downward.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe breast.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe barred markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe individual wing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe talons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe branch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than simply creating the silhouette of an owl and filling it with material, Quam has built \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003echaracter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e into the bird.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd that matters tremendously in pictorial inlay.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald doesn’t just read as “owl.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe reads as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethis particular owl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen Quam creates an extraordinary visual tension around him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe owl itself is almost entirely monochromatic — white, black and soft neutral tones punctuated by those yellow eyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut surrounding him is color.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTurquoise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeep blue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrange.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWarm shell tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeometric forms explode above, below and along the perimeter while the central polished silver field gives Archibald room to exist independently from them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSo despite an enormous amount of visual information, your eye goes immediately to one place:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThose fucking eyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eARTIFACT REGISTRY\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtifact:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald — The Snowy Owl Ring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaker:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Quintin Quam Sr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeople:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni Pueblo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zuni, New Mexico\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Sterling silver with multistone and shell mosaic inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Snowy Owl perched on a branch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pictorial mosaic inlay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForm:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Monumental statement ring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRing Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 9.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFace:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 3 inches long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 40 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHallmarks:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Q QUAM SR. \/ ZUNI \/ STERLING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector’s Gallery Value:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e$2,700\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCURATOR’S FIELD OBSERVATION\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald may actually be one of the strongest compositions in this group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reason is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econtrast\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuam has placed a predominantly white Snowy Owl against a huge reflective sterling field, then surrounded that quiet central image with intensely colorful geometric mosaic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is almost architectural.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe geometry creates the structure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe polished silver creates atmosphere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd Archibald sits in the middle of all of it like a tiny living portrait.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is also tremendous detail within the owl itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThose dark markings aren’t simply decoration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey give texture to the feathers and break up the white body while allowing the separately constructed wing to remain immediately readable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen there are the talons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTiny fucking owl toes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause apparently Quam was not willing to stop until the bird had feet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is exactly the sort of detail that transforms pictorial inlay from representation into storytelling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eARTIFACT CHARACTER RECORD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eName:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Archibald\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Snowy Owl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOccupation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chancellor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf what?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe hasn’t told us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reserved. Intelligent. Formal. Disappointed but unsurprised.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Libraries, snowy forests, private clubs and rooms where everyone instinctively lowers their voice when he enters.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKnown For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Knowing the answer and waiting to see if you’re going to figure it out yourself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Ability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Can make you reconsider a decision simply by looking at you.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFavorite Activity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Observation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeast Favorite Activity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Explanation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKnown Associates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Arthur.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey do not speak often.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey do not need to.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMildly Concerning Behavior:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Appears to know exactly what happened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhatever happened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThreat Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unknown.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd frankly, I wouldn’t test it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEducational Background:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Oxford.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo records have been located supporting this claim.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald nevertheless insists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eERIC’S NOTES FROM THE FIELD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTHE EYES.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat’s the whole fucking thing for me.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause look at him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a bird who has \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003einformation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePenelope wants to show you her garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArthur wants everyone to stop fucking around so he can enjoy his branch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchibald knows \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhy the estate was divided that way in the will.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd he’s not telling anyone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut then you actually start studying the craftsmanship and this thing gets ridiculous.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe markings across his feathers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe separate wing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tiny talons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe branch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe geometric architecture surrounding him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd all that wild color framing a bird who is almost completely black and white.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt makes him feel like a portrait.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike someone commissioned a formal painting of an extremely important owl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcept Quintin Quam painted him in stone and shell.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd then attached the entire fucking thing to your finger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis name is Archibald.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease address him accordingly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47871898714289,"sku":null,"price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0153\/9641\/files\/F595008E-566F-4167-BEC3-D2B916F4C9B6.jpg?v=1787597091","url":"https:\/\/hespera.com\/products\/archibald-the-snowy-owl-ring","provider":"Hespera Jewelry Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}