RELIC 07: ORBIT
Precision-engraved metal artwork
A singular 1/1 metal artwork exploring satellite engineering and the extraordinary technology orbiting our planet.
Two 1/1 works — Now Live
RELIC 07: ORBIT — TITANIUM
Introducing RELIC 07: ORBIT — the seventh work in the RELIC series of singular metal artworks by Charles Lethaby.
Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.
ORBIT explores humanity's relationship with space and the extraordinary engineering required to sustain a presence beyond Earth. The work considers the delicate balance between technological achievement and the vastness of the environment in which it operates, capturing the ambition, precision and vulnerability of objects placed into orbit.
The composition reflects the intersection of science, exploration and human ingenuity — a celebration of the machines and structures that allow us to observe, navigate and understand our planet from beyond its atmosphere.
The artwork is permanently laser engraved into the titanium surface, rather than printed or applied. Areas of exposed metal interact with the deep engraved detail, allowing the image to shift in character as light moves across its surface.
The titanium is carefully finished to retain its distinctive metallic character, creating subtle variations in tone and reflection that reinforce the physical nature of the work.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89mm × 64mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.
RELIC 07: ORBIT is a singular reflection on humanity's presence beyond Earth — where extraordinary engineering meets the immense scale and uncertainty of space.
RELIC 07: ORBIT — ALUMINIUM
Introducing RELIC 07: ORBIT — the seventh work in the RELIC series of singular metal artworks by Charles Lethaby.
Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined by both its imagery and the material from which it is made.
ORBIT explores humanity's relationship with space and the extraordinary engineering required to sustain a presence beyond Earth. The work considers the delicate balance between technological achievement and the vastness of the environment in which it operates, capturing the ambition, precision and vulnerability of objects placed into orbit.
The composition reflects the intersection of science, exploration and human ingenuity — a celebration of the machines and structures that allow us to observe, navigate and understand our planet from beyond its atmosphere.
The artwork is permanently laser engraved into the aluminium surface, rather than printed or applied. Areas of exposed metal interact with the engraved detail, allowing the image to shift in character as light moves across its surface.
The aluminium is carefully finished to retain its distinctive metallic character, creating subtle variations in tone and reflection that reinforce the physical nature of the work.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89mm × 64mm, translating a familiar collectible format into a permanent metal artwork.
RELIC 07: ORBIT is a singular reflection on humanity's presence beyond Earth — where extraordinary engineering meets the immense scale and uncertainty of space.
Introducing RELIC 07: ORBIT — a singular metal work by Charles Lethaby
Each RELIC is conceived as a 1/1 object. No two are the same. Individually machined, engraved, finished and resolved by hand, every piece exists as a unique artefact — defined not only by its imagery, but by the material from which it is made.
Crafted in anodised aluminium or Grade 5 titanium, ORBIT explores humanity's relationship with space — the extraordinary engineering, scientific ambition and technological precision required to place objects into orbit around Earth.
The composition considers the remarkable achievement of establishing a human-made presence beyond our planet. Satellites, spacecraft and orbital infrastructure represent decades of scientific progress, allowing us to observe Earth, communicate across continents and extend our understanding of the universe.
The title, “ORBIT”, refers to the delicate balance between motion and gravity that allows an object to remain in continuous free fall around Earth. Travelling at extraordinary speeds, these machines occupy an environment that is both familiar in its proximity and profoundly hostile in its conditions.
Beyond their technical complexity, objects in orbit represent something distinctly human — our desire to explore, understand and extend the boundaries of what is possible. They exist at the intersection of mathematics, physics and engineering, where theoretical understanding becomes physical reality.
Rather than focusing solely on the spectacle of space exploration, ORBIT reflects on the precision and ingenuity required to operate beyond Earth's atmosphere — an environment in which even the smallest engineering decisions can have extraordinary consequences.
The surface is carefully treated to create a restrained interplay of light and shadow. Fine engraved details emerge gradually as the piece is viewed from different angles, rewarding close inspection and revealing new characteristics as the metal responds to its surrounding light.
Sized to the proportions of a traditional baseball card, each piece measures approximately 89 mm × 64 mm, translating a familiar and collectible format into a permanent material form.
RELIC 07 is not a reproduction, but a singular work of material presence — a one-of-one object reflecting on humanity's technological achievements and our enduring ambition to explore beyond Earth.
Material: Anodised Aluminium or Grade 5 Titanium
Format: 89 × 64 mm
Edition: 1/1
Finish: Individually engraved and finished by hand
