#Carved Coral

[mote-historie]

Cartier Paris, Vanity Case, ca. 1927; Produced by Cartier (Paris, France); Manufactured by Henri Lavabre (French); Lapis lazuli, carved jade, carved ruyi, coral, diamonds, lacquer, mirrored plate glass, gold, platinum; 9.9 × 5.2 × 1.7 cm (3 7/8 × 2 1/16 × 11/16 in.);

Photo: Doug Rosa

Jeweled Splendors of the Art Deco Era: The Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan Collection features exquisite work from premier jewelry houses of Europe and America – among them Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Lacloche Frères, Boucheron and Bulgari – dating from 1910 to 1938.

[marieameliegiamarchi]

Corail de Méditerranée back in stock in my Etsy shop.

[wildbeautifuldamned]

Necklace Women's Real Coral Pink Of Japan Quartz Citrine Pearl Akoya White ebay teresaesposito

[squidinkarchives]

Carved Shell Cameo Pendant in Sterling Silver

Source:

Independence, MO

Carrell Auctions

[old-powwow-days]

Animal Fetishes by Lynn Quam

image sources x,x,x

[thefaearealwaysamongyou]

All hail my kickass cat shaped rock shelf

(And yes the bottles are zoisite and kunzite (and yes it's 100% a sailor moon reference))

[bigtiddygandalf]

something something- the beauty of nature that remains long after the human form has rotted away is more symbolic of sainthood then any statue or figurine

Statue of a saint damaged by the sea air, Parish of St. Hilda, Hartlepool England

[sp00ntaneous]

'Beach Coral' wooden spoon carved in Silktree wood with aniline dyes.

[stone-sculpture]

[yourcoffeeguru]

VTG. Asian Carved Jade and Coral Flowers Framed Shadow Box || SWtradepost

[narcicious]

Oh, that's so cool! I wonder if this similarity in environments, and thus similarity in types and distributions of native species, has to do with their similar tectonics histories as well as their similar latitudes!

The west coast of South America is largely an active convergent plate boundary, where the Nazca plate is subducting under the South American plate and forming the Andes mountain range as a volcanic arc right along the coast [1].

Similarly, a good stretch of the northern part of the west cost of North American is an active subduction zone where the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting under the North American plate and forming the Cascades mountain range [2], extending from northern California to southern British Columbia. Until fairly recently in geological time, all (or almost all) of the western North American plate boundary was an active subduction zone (responsible in large part for much of the mountain building which occurred in western North America since the breakup of Pangea). This was when the Juan de Fuca, Explorer, Gorda, Cocos, and Nazca plates were apparently part of one large plate, referred to as the Farallon plate, which has since largely subducted and left only small fragments [3]. Much of the North American western plate boundary is now a transform boundary with the Pacific plate, so much less mountain building is occurring today, but we still have topography that reflects this history quite dramatically as the moutains weather away.

So we see narrow corridors bounded by deep seas on one side, tall young, volcanically active mountains on the other, and similar climates as a function of latitude, perfect conditions for forming geographically isolated regions with lots of precipitation on the coastal sides of the ranges at appropriate latitudes and (geologically) fresh nutrients from weathering of rocks in said ranges. Pretty good environment for speciation, I'd reckon!

I honestly hadn't thought much about the way the similarity between the regions tectonically might interact with their biological and ecological similarity, but it's really cool to think about!

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andes

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascadia_subduction_zone

[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farallon_Plate

About the unique ecosystems in narrow corridors along the Pacific coast, and the mirroring of California and Chile:

Really cool how the (arbitrary political) borders of Chile host a total of about 60 amphibian species, but 37 of them are endemic species, all living only within about 100 kilometers of the Pacific coast. “Chile” hosts about 130 reptile species, of which an incredible 81 are endemic, living nowhere else.

Both temperate rainforest and Mediterranean chaparral are rare ecosystems on Earth, and both biomes have relatively mild winter climates comfortable for cold-blooded amphibians and reptiles.

Here you can see amphibian biodiversity is highest in the Valdivian temperate rainforest, while reptile diversity is highest in the Mediterranean chaparral zone.

Here’s the Valdivian temperate rainforest and Mediterranean chaparral zones, just for comparison to the amphibian and reptile zones of biodiversity.

Compare to the distribution of rainforest and chaparral in coastal North America:

Not coincidentally, California has a similarly high rate of reptile and amphibian endemism and biodiversity.

Even when limited to narrow corridors, temperate rainforest and Mediterranean chaparral still host a surprising amount of unique lifeforms.

Check out California:

Here’s a look at the distribution range of slender salamanders (Batrachoseps) in California. In the Mediterranean-climate zone of California, there are 23 species of slender salamander, of which about 22 are endemic.

Chile and California are essentially mirrored images of each other at similar latitudes; both center on climatically-mild west-coast temperate rainforest and Mediterranean chaparral biomes.

Temperate rainforest biome and Mediterranean-climate chaparral biome are both rare on the planet:

Here’s both the California coast and the Chilean coast recognized as global biodiversity hotspots.

[paulpingminho]

[wildbeautifuldamned]

PRETTY antique Floral CORAL GLASS dangles brass necklace ebay Diamondelephant

[katsukiizmoon]

╰┈➤ ꒰🍓 ♥️🌶 ┊makeout sessions + BKG꒱

『♡』 making out, praising, affection, slow making out bc I know katsuki absolutely loves it,

Slow hands find grip on the fat of your thighs, thumbs rubbing circles. The apartment AC whirrs, cooling the air around your warmed bodies. You puff out a short breath, hands trailing up his body.

Katsuki hums at the feeling of your hands on his chest, one hand coming to your lower back. He pulls you closer with a thick palm, licking into your mouth and savoring the way you taste.

Your lips break from his for only a moment, to breathe, before you’re back on him. Your thumb rubs over his nipple, once, then twice to get a reaction. He lets out a grunt and jostles you in his lap.

The TV long forgotten, murmuring in the background, you soak in everything he gives you. His thick fingers slide to grip your ass, pulling you closer, and you wrap your arms around his neck.

One of your hands comes to tug at his blonde roots and it makes him float. He kisses you, slow and lazy. He allows every noise you elicit to come to the surface, not bothering to suppress anything. You’re leaving a peck to his lips, slow and soft, and then trailing down his neck.

He hums again at your tongue on his skin. It makes him so hot and bothered- ready to spring into action. But today you’re moving so slow, the both of you. You’re taking your time like he’s going to disappear when you’re finished.

Katsuki resists the urge to buck up and allows you to suck deep purple and red splotches along his body. Unspoken rule that he’ll never bitch about the marks.

A thick, large hand finds his way to your hair and he lightly grips at the base of your skull so you’ll pull back and look at him. And god is he a sight to behold.

His lips are puffy and swollen, slick with spit. His face burns coral, prominent cheek bones and jaw line stinging with affection. And his eyes- oh, his eyes.

They stare into your own like he’s memorizing every detail of your existence. As if he was to carve a statue replica of you. And cherry irises flick down to your lips before his tongue is back in your mouth for the umpteenth time.

It makes a desperate, needy sound leave you. But in a slow, gentle movement he’s picking you up to lay you on your back. He takes special care to assure a pillow is under your head on the couch.

His hands wander, touching every part of your body he can in awe. And he starts to kiss, nice and easy again. Like he’s scared you’ll break if he moves too fast. He’s wearing the small, gold chain you got him for Christmas and it dangles, laying on top of your throat as he swallows up your love.

“My pretty little angel.” Katsuki murmurs, gruff and from somewhere deep within his soul.

You hum out in appreciation, arms winding around his neck and shoulders to pull him in. His length presses against your core but you make no effort to move.

You take the time to nibble on his bottom lip, massaging his shoulders with gentle hands. His hands take purchase on the back of your thighs and he rubs circles. His body, large and all muscle, lays so that he is slotted between you. Pressing against you in all the right places and ways, heavy.

“Yeah pretty ?” You gasp between kisses, and it’s got a sound one could only equate to a whimper coming from him.

“Prettiest thing on this earth, Katsuki.” And for the second time that day he whimpers, soaking in the praise.

He finds himself comfortable, ignoring the matter between his legs for the much more important one laid out in front of him. You invite him into your soul like he’s being offered tea and cookies.

You spend time like that, allowing one another to just be. To drink in praise and hold each other’s body so close it almost hurts. And Katsuki wonders what he ever did to deserve this.

Someone who’s willing to move slow, kiss him deeply and praise him all the while. It makes his head spin, his knees weak.

[cosmicwhoreo]

The Captain's Left Hand Staghorn Coral Cookie

Also known infamously as "The Captain's Left Boot Knife", Staghorn Coral Cookie's job first and foremost is to keep the crew in line.

Whether that's as simple as keeping sailors on top of drills and attacks, or even so far as cutting down any mutiny before it can even take root; Staghorn's nothing short of diligent.

But, they aren't without their own mischievous streak. They're just better adept at knowing when and where to use it. And while they also carry their own firearm, they prefer close combat. Choosing to duel-wield knives they've named both "Ahab". (To avoid confusion between the two obviously) Extra below cut

29 year old nonbinary (They/Them)

Was hired by Caviar the same time as Blue Sponge

Like most the crew, they have a tattoo (Of the moon, on their back)

Really into wood carving, which is the *real* reason they always seem to have at least two knives on their person... And They are VERY good at it (plus it's the reason why they have so many scars and cuts along their hands cuz they nick themselves often-)

Short, but has a stocky build hiding under all that cloth

Has a sibling bond with Blue Sponge (they bully each other often)

[n0tamused]

Um, I'm not sure if you're taking requests but I really love you're writing so I'm gonna try my luck

Could you please do a Medusa!Reader with Jiaoqiu? I've had this idea swirling around for a while.

A/n: I remember seeing those Medusa x her blind lover and I love the idea sm it's so bittersweet but can be fluffy aaaa

Contents: Jiaoqiu x Reader, angst, a bit of comfort, spoilers for the 2.5 quest!

The morning came damp and misty on the Xianzhou Yaoqing. Clouds hung heavy and grey overhead while people huddled away in their homes and offices, and shops. Gazing around it was hard to tell colors apart, everything looked gray. 

Your night was sleepless, and for the few minutes your eyes closed it was also dreamless, pebbled with touches of reality, the roughness of your blankets and the way it wouldn’t let you rest lest you left home altogether in search of that small bit of solace. You’d scarcely call it solace, but you knew a part of you would be called nonetheless, in some way. For once, you were the visitor and not the visited. And your time was limited.

Jiaoqiu opened the door, his eyes empty as they stared right through you and his ears were almost animated in their movement, rotating and flicking at each snap the snakes in your hair made, every little shuffle and whisper. He was still in his bedwear, hair slightly disheveled.

“Jiaoqiu..?” you whispered his name so cautiously, as if uttering it would break him and he responds with the softness of his smile upon recognizing your voice. His ears lightly fall, fluffy and pointed at you, shoulders slumping down in relief. 

“Ah.. it is you. It’s been quite a long time, although it feels even longer than that I confess..” he speaks so casually, stepping aside, shuffling over his own tail and inviting you in. Once inside you see the clean interior. There are no items on the floor, no low hanging plants and herbs like Jiaoqiu once described his home like. It was orderly, clean, spacious, made for him to remember and be safe in without worry. As much as it was a relief, it brought a pain to your chest, the view of his home solidifying the fate he encountered on the Luofu.

You slid up before him after the door clicked shut, your warm palms finding the paleness of his cheeks and cupping him close, tenderly. You search his eyes but find nothing, and his lashes soon flutter shut as he realizes your doings. Your hands don’t leave his skin, but his own hands find their place over your wrists, stroking gently to soothe you. You never touched him before, and he never gazed upon your face. The memory of your first encounter was a distant wisp of a memory he struggled to fiercely hold on, even as exhausted as he is. “You worry for me, my dear? I do not doubt the news… has reached you already..”

You nod in the moment, looking on at him in longing and you have to remind yourself that he was not lost. He was alive and whole, but more broken than the time you saw him off. 

“I have worried and I still worry.. what have they done to you, Jiaoqiu?” 

Jiaoqiu can’t help but frown at the tone of your voice, it hurts just to hear it, his heart twists and his hold on your wrists tightens. “Nothing I cannot deal with, (Y/n).. Please, do not scare yourself into sleeplessness. If it is of any comfort, General Feixiao has already vowed to find someone to heal my eyes.. Do not fret” he tells you but it is almost as if you do not hear him. His ears twitch at the soft sound of a hitched breath, he feels your thumb rolling across his cheek, under his eyes and your snakes hiss softly. 

He knew the chances of his eyes actually being healed were minimal, yet he wished not to bring you any more fright. It was odd to see you so fearful, worried, but no less saddening. He brought you happiness with his flowery poems and cryptic talks and you brought him joyful surprises with the bluntness of your speech. It was your large garden you usually met at, under the stone carved statue of a winding coral, pebbled with stone birds on every other branch. You’d sit at the base of the statue, back pressed against the stone, and he’d sit on the other corner of the same, never being able to gaze onto your face, but he remembers holding your hand. He never imagined such a romance would blossom from those interactions, yet it did.

He extends his hand forward, slowly moving it towards you until he feels the many little heads of small snakes bumping into his fingers and knuckles. He lets out a little chuckle, letting his hand linger and letting the curious snakes explore his skin as well. “Would you look at that.. they’re kissing me, are they?” He can feel the little licks of their thin tongues, even the snakes are gentle with him, being much more fragile than him. He feels half of the man that he once was, ashamed but he brings himself to smile nonetheless. Perhaps it was his turn to be soft and taken care of, however redundant that seemed to him. 

You scoff, the light shaking of your head pulling the snakes along with you, who in turn let out a dissatisfied hiss. 

“I should have been there..” you say, bringing his head closer down to kiss his forehead. He looks even prettier than you imagined him to be. You don’t expect him to reach for your cheek next though, it startles you but you melt into his touch.

“No. Your place is here, where it is safe” he says, resolute and firm in his words, tone suddenly washed clean from any drowsiness of sleep. “What has happened was unfortunate, yet necessary, I fear.. And were I to go back, I would have done the same.. Don’t worry about me. I can still think of poems for you, even if I can no longer see them or write them..” Your skin is warm and damp, he feels it, you have been crying. It worries him more. He presses his other hand to your cheek, bringing you closer until your foreheads pressed together, nuzzling into your warmth. The snakes in your hair seem to be in need of comfort as well with the way the slither closer, tickling his ears and cheeks with their little tongues and noses. 

“I am here. And so are you. And Hoolay is no more.. That’s all that matters now.”

You don’t respond, his words aren’t too comforting, however true they are, so you choose to pepper his cheeks and nose and forehead with countless kisses you couldn’t give him before.

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.