Resurrecting pieces that have withstood centuries, ARK developed an encyclopedic sense of history. This taught us to question the materials and techniques endemic, to modern fabrication. In "The Metamorphosis," a pin and sculpture, collectors recognize a common representation of a Magot, The 17th century European homage to a fascination with the people of the Far East. In most popular manifestation, one still produced for export today, the figure's head and arms bob animated on an internal spring loaded armature, in “the Metamorphosis" a ruby tongue also protrudes. The Jewel's realization draws from working on a 2,500 year old Chinese bronze in which the silver was not soldered, but beaten, into a dovetailed groove. To achieve the effect of embroidery on the Magot's costume,we incised grooves into a gold coat etched to look like silk, inlaying diamond and opal Butterflies backed in silver.