Lead is the kind of metal only a mine owner or a futures trader could love. While other metals are priced in grams and ounces lead is sold commercially by the metric ton. Lead might be just a couple of protons away from gold but it's at the other end of the scale in desirability and its humility is reflected in its traditional uses. Fish sinkers, bullets and bathroom pipes.

Plumbum, as it was known to the Romans whence this elements gets its symbol, here takes its bow as gracefully as it can. A sheet of rumpled lead; a texture that could make one think of elephant skin perhaps!