Tracheon pendant / pocket sculpture (4.2cm)

On a distant planet, the Tracheon floats gently in the soft purple water of a waveless sea. Part algae, part animal, it absorbs light form the yellow sky above, rotating slowly as waste gas is released from the trailing edges of the wings. Its form maximises exchange of nutrients with the liquid, while protecting the inner core from the harsh radiation of the sky above. In solar storms, as the insolation increases and the Tracheon's peculiar take on photosynthesis accelerates, extra gas production spins it faster, driving it deeper onto the sea and away from danger. 
A real pleasure to hold. Enjoy!

PLEASE NOTE: This has been printed many times but almost always as a custom order which I have then part-polished or heat-treated to get a special bicoloured finish - that's what the photos show. If ordered direct from Shapeways, I reccomend the plain stainless steel version which looks really nice; the polished gold can be a bit too 'blingy', although you can of course polish it down to silver highlights yourself with a buffing wheel.