Granite: 9x10x6ft 12.00 tons. Location: Private Collection. Oxon. Sold.
When Rae found this stone in Kemnay Quarry in Aberdeenshire, he knew straight away it would be an elephant. It is significant that the drill hole in the stone is where the tusk would have been, also that a pink striation in the stone runs down from the eye suggesting a tear.
This work is Rae’s direct response to the plight of the African elephant.
Granite: 7x3x3ft 3.00 tons. Location: Carsluith, Wigtownshire. Sold
Lazarus was carved out of an ancient standing stone linking Celtic and Christian beliefs.
Granite: 5x6x4ft. 4.00 tons. Sold. Location: Aberdeenshire.
This sculpture reveals three sheep within the stone. On one side the head of a ram with a curled horn. On the other side the ewe looks back at her lamb which is depicted only by its body and legs nuzzling into her side – rugged granite and sheep the epitome of Scotland.
The sculpture was inspired by the poem by Robert Burns “Ca’ the Yowes” and this was its working title.
Granite: 5x7x6ft 6.00 tons. Location: Private Collection. Macclesfield. Sold.
Bear also features in writer and poet Jenny Melmoth’s latest book called Of Dogs and Cats and Bear.
To find out about this fascinating memoir by someone who loves animals visit www.jenny-melmoth.com
Carved in Kemnay granite, over 470 million years old, this animated brown bear which once roamed the United Kingdom until the 10th century sniffs the air. Rae’s concern for endangered species often features in his animal sculptures.
Granite: 6x13x5ft 11.00 tons Location: Millbrook, USA. Sold
Carved in Kemnay granite this sculpture was inspired by the cave art at Lascaux in France where the images of animals were carved on to the natural rock surfaces.
Rae’s sculpture represents an elephant family – on one side the tusked patriarch with the baby elephant, on the other side the gentle matriarch.
The sculpture was purchased from the Regent’s Park Exhibtion, carefully packed in a container and shipped out to the USA.
Granite: 8x22x3ft 15.00 tonnes. Location: Somerset. Sold.
Carved in Corrennie pink granite which is 460 million years old, this monumental relief draws attention to the tiger as an endangered species – less than 3,000 tigers left in the world now!
The sculpture also celebrates William Blake’s well known poem.
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
The stone for this sculpture was an amazing find in the quarry. At 22 feet long it was the largest stone to date that Rae had tackled. When the tiger emerged out of the stone he decided it was well worth the effort.
The BBC filmed the Tyger Tyger being moved to Somerset as part of their series called The Crane Gang. It was broadcast on BBC2 on 29th September 2013 at 8pm and can be viewed on YouTube.
Granite: 4x5x4ft 3.00 tons. Location: Private collection, Peak District. Sold.
A craggy sculpture of a shepherd and his sheep. This work was exhibited at St. John’s Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh and at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. The sculpture has two levels of meaning – it could be an ordinary shepherd or The Good Shepherd. It is now appropriately sited in the fields of the Peak District where the sheep nestle and rub against it patinating the stone.
Granite: 4x4x3ft 2.00 tons. Location: Private collection, Lanarkshire. Sold.
A mother elephant and her calf lovingly entwine. The title for this work expresses the power and gentleness of God which is also in elephants. This was Rae’s first elephant sculpture. He would carve many more. Purchased from the exhibition at St. John’s Church, Edinburgh.
Granite: 2x3x1ft 0.25 ton. Location: Cramond Kirk Hall, Edinburgh. Gifted.
Ronald Rae has had the support of Cramond Kirk since 1989, providing him with an area to work in their grounds. Rae was delighted when he was asked to carve a sculpture to celebrate the new Millennium Kirk Hall.
“The ancient Christian symbol of the fish, Ronald Rae’s generous gift to the hall, provides an ideal focal point for the gathering area.” – the Rev Dr Russell Barr.
Granite 5x9x5ft 9.00 tons. Location: Private collection, Peak District. Sold.
Privately commissioned, this powerful work carved in Kemnay granite which is 470 million years old, is sited in farmland on a right of way where it is enjoyed and photographed endlessly by passers-by. Ruggedly carved it is the essence of bull.