Aquila Zeus Eagle

With its wings extending 18.5 feet, Aquila Zeus Eagle is Joseph Gray’s largest sculpture and is believed to be the largest hand-carved stone eagle in North America. Gray carved the monumental bird from Goshen stone, releasing its wings, feathers and powerful form from a material that appears almost too massive to take flight.

For Gray, carving is both a physical and spiritual process. He begins without knowing precisely what the finished sculpture will become, allowing the character of the stone to guide him. His Abenaki ancestry, reverence for animals and lifelong connection to the natural world are deeply embedded in his work. Eagles appear frequently in his sculptures as expressions of strength, vision and freedom.

The sculpture’s title reaches back to the ancient world: aquila is the Latin word for eagle, while the eagle was the sacred bird and messenger of Zeus. Here at Alnoba, the stone bird stands with its wings fully extended—embodying the courage to rise, see farther and meet the world from a greater perspective.