從塞倫蓋提平原

Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) 產品系列再一次邁向非洲大草原中廣闊無際的平原地帶。今年，我們從地球上最龐大的陸上哺乳類動物—非洲大象—身上獲得啟發。一起看看女族長—大象法約拉—如何從水晶中重煥壯麗的生機。

有哪些動物較非洲大象更雄偉、更令人讚嘆不已嗎？ 身高 8 至 13 呎，體重達 5 至 14，000 磅，這頭壯麗的動物以一種威風凜凜的姿態臨現大地，即使獅子或獵豹也不得不讓路。 

作為一個基石物種，非洲大象是其生態系統中不可或缺的工程師。當牠們的族群在非洲大地上漫游時，牠們一邊散播植物種子，並開拓道路，讓體型較小的動物在矮樹叢中更容易行走。在乾旱季節時，牠們用巨大的象牙和靈巧的鼻子挖掘河床，拉起幼樹和樹木。這樣做能為其族群和其他物種建立迷你綠洲，並有助把空氣帶進泥土，讓其他平原動物都能使用這片土地。

In addition to their great size, African elephants are impressive for their human-like behaviour. They are extremely sociable animals and often stay within the same family unit for their whole life. Calves swing their trunks around wildly until their parent teaches them how to use it, and when a herd member dies, the others grieve and often return to the spot of the loved one’s death as if to pay their respects.

These spectacular creatures are  matriarchal, too. Herds are often female-heavy with the biggest and oldest elephant serving as the leader and a surrogate grandmother to many in the herd. Elephant Fayola, meaning “the one who walks with honour”, was modelled after one of these great maternal leaders, ever watchful over her family.

Gentle giants, these elephants are impressive caretakers of the African plains. They preside over their home like a loving parent, ensuring a healthy, prosperous environment for their descendants and the land and animals that surround them. With this year’s Elegance of Africa SCS Annual Edition 2022 Elephant Fayola, this same majestic presence will radiate throughout your home. 
 

The masterful designer Martin Zendron took on the challenge of translating the African elephant’s mighty stature into fine Swarovski crystal. To accomplish this, he captured the essence of the elephant by calling to mind images of this mesmerizing giant ambling through yellow sawgrass, slowly making its way to a watering hole, unaffected by the obstacles ahead. He then realized it in a captivating new Greige coloured crystal.

Watch the video to see Elephant Fayola’s creation

Step 1: Research and sketches
Zendron began his work by immersing himself in the world of the African elephant. He read extensively, watched documentaries, and listened to African music often using three computer screens; one for working and the other two for setting the perfect mood to understand Elephant Fayola. Ultimately, he gleaned the most inspiration from Tanzania and the Serengeti.

While designing Elephant Fayola, Zendron also kept in mind how the elephant would become part of a cohesive collection. He chose to depict the gentle giant mid-stride, symbolizing her continuous stroll across the African savannah, protecting both the landscape and her infants: “Elephants look out for each other, they protect their young and they always keep an eye on them,” he says. “Visually, it was important that the elephants looked like they were wandering.”

Step 2: Rough sculptural modelling
Using digital computer modelling, Zendron then worked on converting his sketches into a three-dimensional representation. He experimented with different leg, trunk, and tusk positions until he settled on a pose that perfectly captured the grand African elephant’s essence.

Step 3: Design model
Once a final design was chosen, Zendron worked with product developers to optimize the angles of the facets to ensure the masterpiece would capture the elephant’s majesty as well as Swarovski crystal’s beauty. When they were satisfied, Elephant Fayola boasted 822 facets and a resin replica was produced. 

Step 4: Handmade prototype
Elegance of Africa SCS Annual Edition 2022 Elephant Fayola finally paraded into life as a hand-cut and polished prototype. Although the colour Greige had never been used for such a large figurine, Zendron chose it because he felt it was the closest colour to the elephant’s iconic skin. The exterior was further enhanced with Marron and Satin effects to enhance every angle of its silhouette and the spine was steamed to give the illusion of sand across the animal’s back, which it uses to protect itself from the sun.

Step 5: Production of crystal parts
Once the crystal prototype was perfected, production began. This required precise tooling to individually cut each of the constituent parts of the great mammal. Meticulous care was taken to perfect the signature curve of the elephant’s back.

Step 6: Gluing and assembly
Each component was meticulously glued together by hand, and a final polish helped to bring Elephant Fayola to life. 

Step 7: Quality control
Each crystal creation was thoroughly examined by a team of experts, who ensured that all colours looked as they should and that each facet was flawless and radiant. Once it passed this final scrutiny, Elephant Fayola was ready to embark on a new journey into our homes, bringing with her an air of majesty and warmth.