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.
Granite 3x4x3ft 0.50 tons. Location: Private Collection – Leeds. Sold.
This symbolic sculpture emphasises the plight of the elephant and the fragility of the environment.
Granite: 6x7x4ft 3.00 tons. Location: Private collection, Peak District. Sold.
Carved in Dalbeattie granite, which is geologically a very interesting stone because of its varied colours, this work was inspired by cave art at Lascaux in France. The head is carved in deep relief whilst the body is etched on to the stone leaving much of the natural stone uncarved, allowing the stone to speak. Sited in a field with the cattle around it, is a perfect setting for this rugged work.
Granite: 5x10x5ft 10.00 tons. Location: Isle of Eriska, Argyll. Sold.
Carved expressively this powerful sculpture is the very essence a highland cow, bulky and brooding with huge horns and rhythmic hair covering its eyes.
Rae has taken the stereotypical image of the highland cow seen so often in art, and revitalised it in granite. The sculpture is sited on the Isle of Eriska and has two permanent friends – namely the resident donkeys that enjoy rubbing against the granite!
To see a short video about this sculpture go to Latest News on Video at the right hand column of this page and click on Ronald Rae with his sculptures on the Isle of Eriska.
Granite: 6x4x3ft 3.00 tons. Private Collection. Shropshire. Sold.
A spiritual and highly emotive work of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, depicting the moment he said “Take this cup from me.” The bent head and wrapped limbs represent everyone’s pain.
The carving of this sculpture was filmed by Steve and Carolyn Horn and shown on BBC and Grampian Television.
The sculpture was purchased from the Regent’s Park Exhibition.
Creetown Granite: 7x7x3ft 4.00 tons. Location: In private collection. Oxon. Sold.
Carved in silver-grey Creetown granite from the Solway Firth in Scotland, the sculpture depicts the monumental severed head of the biblical prophet. The scar on the cheek represents his pain. John the Baptist was purchased from the exhibition in Regent’s Park, London in 2002.
Granite: 5x5x3ft 3.00 tons. Location: Private Collection. Aberdeenshire. Sold.
This sculpture of four monumental portrait heads stands as a memorial to the people of St.Kilda who became dispossessed when they could no longer survive on their remote island off the west coast of Scotland. The head of the elderly man was based on Rae’s grandfather.
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.