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Handcrafted, handpainted piece, stands 6" high, 4.5" wide.
Thorwald’s Cross, Isle of Man
Located at Church Andreas on the Isle of Man, this fragment of a Viking Slab Cross is dated by Rundata to 940 AD. It is a very unique artefact, in that it appears to represent an example of ‘Syncretic Art’ created during a short period of time when both Pagan and Christian belief systems coexisted. It is also unique for bearing the inscription of the erector of the original monument; ‘Porvaldr raised this cross’, with its present title representing this. The cross shows what is believed to be the father of the Norse gods, Odin, being consumed by the wolf, Fenrir, at the events of Ragnarok, signalling the end to the story of the Norse Pantheon. This is significant as it may reveal the conversion point from Paganism to Christianity, with the Christian god rising to prominence following the destruction of the Pagan gods at the mythical battle of Ragnarok. The bird at Odin’s shoulder is thought to be either Huginn or Muninn, Odin’s loyal ravens, whose attachment to Odin have led to him being commonly referred to as ‘The Raven God’.

Thorwald's Cross, Isle of Man

The Walled City, Handcrafted plasterwork. dimensions: 9″ length, 6.5″wide, 2.5″high. Price £60.

The city of Derry/Londonderry is one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe, and the most complete example in Ireland. The defensive walls were built between 1613-1618 by The Honourable the Irish Society to segregate and protect English and Scottish settlers from the surrounding native Irish following the Plantation of Ulster. The walls proved their purpose during the Williamite Wars in Ireland, when the four city gates were shut to King James II by the 13 Apprentice Boys in 1688, and held out Jacobite forces during 105 days of siege in 1689. The term ‘Maiden City’ was borne out of this unbreachable defense. The walls, with a circumference of approx. one mile, encircle the first planned town in Ireland, designed in a typical fortification layout common during the period. The Siege of Derry would not be the last experience the walls would encounter with conflict, however, as the British Army commandeered segments of the fortifications during ‘The Troubles’ for surveillance purposes. This representation of the 17th century city exhibits the topography of the town, street plans, major buildings, and the bastion defensive structures that shielded the city.

Walled City: Derry in the Siege Period

K15 Stone, handcrafted, handpainted. Dimensions: 6" length, 4" high, 2" deep. K15 is situated in the Stone Age passage Tomb at Knowth, which alongside Dowth and Newgrange form the principle Bru Na Boinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. Knowth is the largest of the three, with a raised mound over 40ft High and featuring two passages along an East/West line. K15 is found within the Tomb and has been dated at 4900 years old. K15 is widely known as 'The Sundial Stone' primarily due to the highly intricate, precise astronomical carvings on its face. Some have speculated that it forms a primitive calendar, with etchings and markers that align to the 16 months of the Neolithic annum. An experiment carried out over one full year on a replicated model, however, strongly suggests that it functioned as a highly sophisticated Sundial, with a vertical East declining dial. The Summer Equinox and Winter Solstice are particularly heavily inscribed. The astronomical alignment of this wondrous artefact is without doubt, though its true intention remains a mystery. If it is a genuine Sundial, it will prove to be the world's oldest, with the previous record holder being found in Egypt and dated at a comparatively youthful 1700 years old.

K15 - The Sundial Stone. Knowth, Newgrange.

Grianan of Aileach, handcrafted, handpainted plasterwork piece. Dimensions: 6" across, 2" high. Beautiful when illuminated with a tealight. The origins of the Grianán of Aileach fort are dated back to 1700 BC. It is linked to the Tuatha de Danann who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built stone forts on top of strategic hills. They worshipped Dagda (the Good God) and he too is associated with the origins of Aileach. It was he who ordered the building of a stone fort to act as a burial monument to his dead son. The round fort is built largely without mortar. The interior has three terraces and wooden structures were built against the terraces to provide accommodation. The outline of Bronze Age or Iron Age ramparts can be seen below the fort. Legend states that the giants of Inishowen are lying sleeping but when the sacred sword is removed they will spring to life reclaiming their ancient lands. It is thought that St Patrick visited the site in the 5th century and baptised the local chieftain, Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan gets its name), here.

Grianan of Aileach Tealight

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