Scavenger Earrings

This pair of vulture earrings is inspired by the vultures that circle through the skies around my rural home, keeping an eye out for carcasses that lurk in the numerous fields and farms surrounding it.

I painted the vulture heads with watercolor enamel, over a base coat of enamel I pre-fired in the kiln. The enamel heads are set on sterling silver backs that have a pile of rabbit bone silhouettes pierced out to add visual interest and allow the black enamel backs of the heads to show through for an element of surprise.

The clusters of red beads and sequins hanging from the beaks are meant to mimic flesh they've pulled from bones, all the while adding shimmer and sparkle to the pair, nodding to the relationship between beauty and decay in nature.

The posts are sterling silver.

length: 3 7/8"

width: 3/4"

materials: watercolor enamel, enamel, sterling silver, copper, sequins, glass beads, thread