Valentine birds

 
Valentine’s Day is traditionally the time when birds choose their mates as mentioned by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer  who was born around 1340.

For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.

It was very difficult to take a photo showing the intricate shiny gold pattern so I would appreciate any advice on how to take photos without reflections of the camera or room on the glass.  Eventually I found that placing it on the floor was best but even there I had to be careful not to have the light fittings or window reflected. 

The gold plated picture comes from Toledo in Spain.
The patterns are made from deep cuts into steel then gold foil is painstakingly placed into the lines. The foil is hammmered until the gold penetrates into the cuts forming the designs. Then the piece is oxidized creating the black background.