The silver plated leopard mother and cubs were created by renowned D''Argenta artist, Ricardo del Rio. Ever alert, the leopardess lies casually upon a rock as her cubs crawl playfully under her protective gaze. The sculpture''s detail is impressive. From the rendition of the leopard''s attitude to the mottled spots on its fur, this piece is beautifully crafted.

Weight: approx. 1 lbs.

About D''Argenta Silver Elegance

Ornate in design, exquisite in detail, and beautifully elegant, the Sterling Silver Plated products created by the artists of D''Argenta Silver Elegance are the perfect heirloom quality pieces for any home. The distinctive sterling silver designs stand out against the black neillo inlay and the intricate detail is breathtakingly attractive. D''Argenta Silver Sculptures and objects d''art offer unparalleled excellence in quality and exquisite attention to detail, because they are the hallmarks that have established D''Argenta as a leader in the export of precious metal-finished art for over a quarter of a century.

Each of the over 200 limited-edition sculptures, personally signed by the artist, is technically flawless yet competitively priced..the same master-craftsmanship received in pieces that have been gifted to royalty, heads of state and the Vatican. From the surface detail of the innumerable tumuli and broad swells that impart the hides of the elephant collection to the graceful lines that capture the motion of a stallion''s gallop, you will marvel at the beauty of your truly unique acquisition as it graces a special place in your home.

Historically, sculptures composed of precious metals were crafted using the traditional hot casting process. 25 years ago, the artisans at renowned metal art company D''Argenta introduced an advanced new metalworking technique that changed the way precious metals are sculpted. D''Argenta''s new method combined cold casting and electroforming to create intricate, finely detailed sculptures. The pieces are initially plated with a . 015 inch (400 micro) thick layer of copper, then plated with silver or (24K) gold at a thickness of . 001 inch (24 micro). Each sculpture''s interior is composed of a polyester fiberglass core that strengthens sleek metal plating. After being formed, each piece is coated with a protective lacquer to prevents tarnishing and maintain luster. This final step ensures that all D''Argenta sculptures, though crafted with fine silver, do not require polish or any type of metal cleaner and can be simply dusted with a dry cloth as needed.

Exported around the world and now available in over 25 countries, D''Aragenta''s products have won international acclaim because of their innovative construction and exquisite beauty. In 1981, D''Argenta was recognized with the Bulgarian Government Gold Medal award. In 1992, a D''Argenta sculpture was gifted to His Royal Highness Prince Naruhito of Japan on a visit to Mexico. A nod to the company''s exclusive prestige, D''Argenta sculptures have been gifted to an increasingly long list of dignitaries, including Pope John Paul II, Prince Phillip of England, and his Majesty King Harald of Norway.

The gifted artists of D''Argenta include: Manuel Alvarado, Ricardo Del Rio, Enrique Jolly, Javier Arenas Perez, Claudio Rodr