 Royal Wildlife Miniatures is a company that makes Ultra Miniature Wild Animals in 14 Carat Gold, Sterling Silver, Silica Bronze and 99% Pure Silver on request. The miniatures are hand crafted by Bill Bates in his Torrance, California shop and made into Tie Tacks, Hat Pins, Rings, Earrings, Pendants, Charms and Bolos.They are reproduced from sculptured wax masters that have been created under approximately a 10X power lens. They are spun cast in a lost wax process with an electric casting machine. Bill Bates studied Jewelry for 2 years at El Camino College under Professor Oliver, who was an excellent teacher. He has been producing these fine miniatures for the past 33 years.
Most of the animals have been taken from photographs. You will notice with a 10X power lens the fine details.
Bill started carving solid model aeroplanes at the age of 12 and progressed from solid to rubber band models to gas powered racing models. He worked for Northrop Aircraft as a Precision Mockup and Tooling Die Builder and later worked for Douglas Aircraft as a Wind Tunnel Model Builder. He started carving big and small game & water fowl in 1971. He has 20 game heads of big and small, Snow Goose, Mallard Drake, Hen & baby duckling. For many of these items Bill holds U.S. copyrights for 1971, 1973, 1999 and 2002.
Bill was born in Norhtern Oklahoma in the town of Aline in 1921. He was raised in Calhan Colorado elevation 6500ft, with a population of 300 soles on the High Plains 36 miles northeast of Colorado Springs with a grand view of the Great Pikes Peak and the whole front range of the Rockies.
Bill Bates - Owner
David Rickey - Webmaster |
