Charles Darwin Figurine

This hand-painted, crushed-marble miniature of Charles Darwin opens up to reveal the face of one of our closest animal relatives. Standing two inches tall, they are carved, cast, and crafted with minute attention and house hidden compartments for tiny mementos. Each has a secret compartment for storing tiny treasures, with interior carvings that entertain.

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England in 1809. His mother died when he was eight years old. His father, a physician, was the son of Erasmus Darwin, the well-known poet, philosopher and naturalist. At age 16, Darwin left Shrewsbury to study medicine at Edinburgh University. Repelled by the sight of surgery, he left medical school and went to Cambridge University to become a clergyman. After receiving his degree, Darwin accepted an invitation to serve as an unpaid naturalist on the HMS Beagle for a five-year scientific expedition around the world. After returning to England in 1836, Darwin did not pursue a career in the church but instead worked on developing a theory of evolution based on observations from his expedition. Darwin announced his theory in 1858, and the complete theory was published in his book On the Origin of Species a year later. His theory of evolution by natural selection states that the young born to any species compete for survival. Those that survive pass on favorable natural variations through heredity. This gradual and continuous process is the source of the evolution of species. Darwin also introduced the concept that all related organisms are descended from common ancestors. Darwin continued to write and publish works on biology throughout his life, living with his wife and children in a small village outside of London. He died in 1882 and lies buried in Westminster Abbey.