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Front angle of Wisdom Time and Change Owl Jet Sculpture
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Front view of Wisdom, Time and Change Owl Jet Carving
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Close up of carved jet owl with abalone shell eyes

Wisdom Time and Change Owl Jet Carving

Wisdom Time and Change Owl Jet Carving

$24,000.00

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About the Piece

Carved jet owl with abalone shell eyes resting on solid jet plinth measuring a total of 28.5" tall, 10" wide and 5.5" deep.

This piece was inspired by the changing of time and the wisdom gained there, as the name insinuates. On one side of the solid jet plinth reads the words "Wisdom", "Time" and "Change" circling a cut-out cubby which is repeated on the opposite side, each holding a nickel plated Charles-Hubert hand winding pocket watches that hang from silver hooks. Installed in the front face of the plinth is a vintage US navy 8 day wind maritime ship clock made by Chelsea in great working condition, keeping time, with bakelite case and bell wind key. Two screws act as hanger for the bell key used to wined the clock. Below this, a vintage change-dispenser full of buffalo head nickels, liberty dimes and wheat pennies is mounted.

Known as "jet", the rich black material used to create this sculpture is a rare form of fossilized wood which formed millions of years ago under extreme pressure during decomposition. It has been favored as a gemstone by jewelry carvers since the Neolithic period, though is most famously known for its use in mourning jewelry during the Victorian age. With a hardness of 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale, specimens like this are considered gemstone quality and are priced as such. Because of its expense and scarcity, rarely do you see pieces of jet this large utilized in sculpture.

About the Artist

After starting out as a silversmith in Arizona and immersing himself in the turquoise trade over 30 years ago, Lee Downey is still just as passionate about gems, minerals and all things geology related today. From his studio in Bali, Lee and a family of highly skilled craftspeople create one-of-a-kind art pieces from natural and reclaimed materials with unwavering attention to detail.

Learn more about Lee Downey's work.

Gift Wrap

If you would like your purchase/s gift wrapped, please leave us a note before completing your order. The opportunity to do so is presented while viewing the shopping cart before proceeding to checkout. This service is complimentary.

Gift Wrap

If you would like your purchase/s gift wrapped, please leave us a note before completing your order. The opportunity to do so is presented while viewing the shopping cart before proceeding to checkout. This service is complimentary.

Shipping & Returns

Orders that are placed on the Gold Bug website will be processed in 1-3 business days, leaving the store Monday through Friday, except in the event of a holiday or posted store closure.

You can request a required signature for the delivery of your order. We ship our packages using UPS as the carrier (except in the event of a union strike, in which case we will use USPS). All packages that leave the store are insured for their full amount. If you live in an area that is prone to theft, we recommend that you request "signature required" to ensure that you receive your purchase. 

Due to the nature of our products, we do not ship internationally.

Tax will be added to orders shipped within the state of California. Tax is never added to a package's shipping charge but will be added to the cost of any merchandise that is shipped within the state of California.

Discounted items cannot be returned or exchanged. All discounted items, this includes items purchased using codes, are final sales and cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstance.

We accept returns on some items purchased on our website. Items purchased at full price on our website are eligible for return for the duration of 14 days after their receipt by the customer. Before returning the item, however, we must be notified of your intent with a phone call (626-744-9963) or email (info@goldbugpasadena.com). The returned piece/s must arrive in their original packaging and will be inspected to ensure their original and unworn condition before they are approved for a refund. Gold Bug will deduct any shipping costs it may have covered AS WELL AS 3% from the total amount of the oder to cover processing fees when issuing the refund.

Send Approved Returns to: Gold Bug 38 East Holly Street Pasadena CA 91103

We accept the return of online purchases to our physical location. You may return any piece/s purchased on our website to our physical location in Pasadena within 14 days of receiving it, but you must obtain authorization from us prior to your visit  by calling us at 626-744-9963 or emailing us at info@goldbugpasadena.com. Authorized returns must be made in their original packaging and unworn/unused condition to be considered for a refund or store credit, whichever you prefer. If Gold Bug covered any of the shipment cost, this amount will be deducted from your total credit amount. In the case of a refund, 3% will be deducted from the order amount to cover any processing fees incurred by Gold Bug. We retain the right to refuse the return of a piece.

Shipping & Returns

Orders that are placed on the Gold Bug website will be processed in 1-3 business days, leaving the store Monday through Friday, except in the event of a holiday or posted store closure.

You can request a required signature for the delivery of your order. We ship our packages using UPS as the carrier (except in the event of a union strike, in which case we will use USPS). All packages that leave the store are insured for their full amount. If you live in an area that is prone to theft, we recommend that you request "signature required" to ensure that you receive your purchase. 

Due to the nature of our products, we do not ship internationally.

Tax will be added to orders shipped within the state of California. Tax is never added to a package's shipping charge but will be added to the cost of any merchandise that is shipped within the state of California.

Discounted items cannot be returned or exchanged. All discounted items, this includes items purchased using codes, are final sales and cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstance.

We accept returns on some items purchased on our website. Items purchased at full price on our website are eligible for return for the duration of 14 days after their receipt by the customer. Before returning the item, however, we must be notified of your intent with a phone call (626-744-9963) or email (info@goldbugpasadena.com). The returned piece/s must arrive in their original packaging and will be inspected to ensure their original and unworn condition before they are approved for a refund. Gold Bug will deduct any shipping costs it may have covered AS WELL AS 3% from the total amount of the oder to cover processing fees when issuing the refund.

Send Approved Returns to: Gold Bug 38 East Holly Street Pasadena CA 91103

We accept the return of online purchases to our physical location. You may return any piece/s purchased on our website to our physical location in Pasadena within 14 days of receiving it, but you must obtain authorization from us prior to your visit  by calling us at 626-744-9963 or emailing us at info@goldbugpasadena.com. Authorized returns must be made in their original packaging and unworn/unused condition to be considered for a refund or store credit, whichever you prefer. If Gold Bug covered any of the shipment cost, this amount will be deducted from your total credit amount. In the case of a refund, 3% will be deducted from the order amount to cover any processing fees incurred by Gold Bug. We retain the right to refuse the return of a piece.