Little Butterfly – Gilded Brass and Striped Flint Buckle
A Study in Metal Construction, Stone Setting and Reversible Assembly
Little Butterfly was developed as a compact sculptural composition in gilded brass and striped flint, incorporated into a functional belt buckle. Its design brings together the delicate geometry of a butterfly, the contrasting patterns of natural stone and a carefully considered mechanical structure.
The object was conceived and executed within Kostylo Atelier, from the preparation of individual metal components to the final assembly. Particular attention was given to the construction of the relief, its relationship with the stone inlays and the possibility of disassembling the completed piece for future maintenance.
The butterfly’s structure began with individual components cut from 3 mm brass sheet. The wing sections, supporting elements and side walls were worked separately, with their dimensions determined by the compact proportions of the relief.
Each piece was filed and adjusted by hand. The accuracy of these early operations was essential to achieving close-fitting junctions between the individual sections.
The prepared elements were brought together to establish the butterfly’s three-dimensional structure. The central body and adjoining wing sections were positioned for silver soldering, with their alignment checked before the joints were permanently formed.
The assembly required careful control of the narrow connections and internal spaces that define the relief.
Silver soldering joined the individual brass sections into a unified relief. The connections were developed from both sides of the composition, giving the butterfly its structural integrity while retaining the open spaces intended for the striped flint inlays.
With the soldering completed, the relief was cleaned of flux residue. Its assembled form revealed the relationship between the outer contours, raised wing walls and internal compartments before the final refinement of the metal surfaces.
The reverse and side surfaces were then filed to remove excess silver solder and correct irregularities at the joints. Particular care was required around the smaller recesses, where the metal had to be smoothed without altering the geometry established during assembly.
Individual pieces of striped flint were cut and adjusted to fit the butterfly’s wing compartments. The stone surfaces were progressively polished, exposing variations in the natural banding that distinguish each section.
The fitting process brought the irregular character of the stone into dialogue with the precisely constructed brass framework.
Following the final refinement of the brass, the relief was polished and finished with 23-carat gilding. The prepared striped flint elements were then incorporated into the composition, their patterned surfaces contrasting with the reflective metal framework.
The reverse of Little Butterfly reveals a construction detail central to the atelier’s approach. Two hand-threaded mounting points allow the gilded brass relief to be secured to the buckle mechanically, without permanent adhesive bonding.
This reversible connection permits the butterfly to be removed for inspection, restoration or renewed gilding without compromising the principal structure. The hand-engraved Kostylo signature identifies the completed metalwork.
The concealed construction is therefore treated with the same attention as the visible sculptural surface.
The completed Little Butterfly is presented as a gilded brass and striped flint buckle, accompanied by a leather belt and housed in a dark-green presentation case.
Its restrained scale contrasts with the complexity of its internal construction. The finished object brings together the natural variation of stone, the definition of worked metal and a mechanical assembly designed to remain accessible beyond its initial completion.
