The carving, created by Abinger-based artist Ian Hamilton Crafer using a tree felled on Bookham Common, took up residence at the National Trust property last Thursday (January 15).

The two-tonne block of oak, which pays homage to the adonis blue butterfly, will stay at the estate for two months before being permanently moved to Denbies Hillside, south of Polesden Lacey, in May.

Mr Crafer told the Advertiser the sculpture took more than 200 hours to complete over eight months. Visitors to Polesden Lacey on Thursday were able to watch him add the finishing touches to the sculpture, which was shaped using traditional hand-carving tools.

Eventually it will be relocated to its new home in time for the hatching of the year’s first brood of adonis blues.

To find out more about Polesden Lacey and this year’s events, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey