This extraordinary, one-of-a-kind seal sculpture was created exclusively for the Seal Research Trust by talented artist and long-standing survey volunteer Peter Welsh.
For a closer look, you can view a video of this piece on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/p2tC4-SzLhw
Inspired by the seal pups of Porthtowan - where Peter has monitored seals for us for more than a decade - this exquisite piece is the result of six years of refinement. A perfectionist at heart, Peter reworked the design countless times, drawing on thousands of hours of close observation to ensure anatomical accuracy, environmental realism, and an authentic sense of life as a pup on a Cornish cove. The sculpture is rich in detail: every claw is precisely shaped, the delicately folded rear flippers wrap snugly around the tail for warmth, and even the tiny eyebrow and whisker follicles are captured on its gentle, expressive face. The pup appears dreamy, relaxed and blissfully stretched out.
Peter sculpted the original artwork by hand in modelling clay before sending it to a specialist casting company. Each reproduction was carefully resin-cast and returned to him for inspection. He then hand-painted each piece, reflecting the natural variety of fur colours, weather conditions and times of day. Only eleven sculptures were completed before the mould broke - meaning this creation can never be replicated. Peter’s deep knowledge of seals, exceptional artistic skill, and unrivalled attention to detail make these sculptures truly unique.
“I’ve been sculpting and carving for as long as I can remember,” Peter says. “Self-taught for the most part, it’s been suggested that I have some affinity for the materials and the subjects I portray. I spent substantially more time studying the subject than creating the finished piece.”
While we’re sad to see these beautiful pups leave us, each one is ready for a new home. Peter has generously donated all his time and expertise, and all profits will support SRT’s unique seal research and the vital conservation of our globally rare grey seal pups. Once your sculpture reaches you, it will be ready for its new forever name.
Please note: these sculptures are extremely fragile, so they cannot be sent to an address outside the UK. They will be shipped in large protective packaging and sent via Royal Mail’s 24 hour tracked signed-for service.