Temple Piece

Iranian Onyx Sculpture on a base of French green marble.

Temple Piece was carved from a block of Iranian Pink Onyx. Graham and his wife Margit lived in Italy for 6 years from 1987, and after that Graham went back every 2 years for working trips. It is because of this ongoing and enduring connection with the people in the marble industry in Pietrasanta and Carrara, Tuscany that Graham has access to most rare and high quality marble and onyx from all over the world. Roberto from Bacci Marmo is one of Graham’s long term contacts who can always be trusted to supply excellent quality stone. Because Roberto is aware of Graham’s love for beautiful coloured onyx, he called Graham in Australia to tell him about two stunning blocks of Iranian Pink that have turned up in his yard. He sent some pictures and Graham was hooked. He bought both pieces and asked Roberto to store them until he was ready for another shipment, which took another few years. When a block arrives in the workshop they seem bigger than they look in the marble yards! Temple Piece is the smaller of the two blocks, solid in colour, beautiful to touch. Graham left the surface matt, straight off the diamond pads and sandpaper, and it has a velvet type feeling. The colour of the onyx shows best with some back lighting, which would be highly recommended in the final placement. There is nothing like it in Australia. Graham has visions of places of light, contemplation, beauty and stillness beyond this world. The sacred Temple Piece is part of this vision.