Anchor for the soul

(Mermaid & Anchor)

Handmade Silver Pendant

Some symbols belong to the meeting of sea and shore.

The Mermaid & Anchor pendant brings together two enduring forms: the mermaid, a figure of intuition, mystery, and transformation, and the anchor, a symbol of grounding, return, and holding fast. Together they speak of balance — between movement and stillness, freedom and stability, the pull of the sea and the need for rest.

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The Form

The mermaid is shown seated and attentive, her body curved in a moment of quiet pause.

Her tail flows downward, echoing the movement of water, while her upper body rises toward the anchor above. Hair and surface details are worked to suggest motion without urgency, giving the figure a sense of calm presence rather than drama.

The anchor is simple and understated, acting as a counterweight to the organic curves of the mermaid. It steadies the composition without overpowering it.

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Symbols of Sea and Return

Mermaids have long represented the liminal — creatures of transition who move between worlds.

They are associated with intuition, allure, and the unseen currents beneath the surface. The anchor, by contrast, symbolises safety, return, and the ability to hold firm in changing conditions.

Together, these forms suggest a relationship rather than a hierarchy: freedom anchored by intention, movement guided by purpose.

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Made by Hand

Each Mermaid & Anchor pendant begins as a hand drawing, refined until the balance between figure and symbol feels settled.

The piece is saw-pierced by hand from a recycled sterling silver half crown coin, then filed, textured, hand engraved and shaped slowly at the bench. Edges are softened without erasing evidence of the making process, allowing the pendant to retain warmth and individuality.

Small variations remain from piece to piece, marking each pendant as genuinely handmade.

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Silver & Wear

The pendant is made in solid sterling silver, chosen for its strength, warmth, and ability to age naturally.

The majority of coins circulated over a hundred years ago are pure silver and the ones that are still remaining are in poor condition, from the point of view of a coin collector. The coins are thus only valued for their inherent scrap silver value, which is obviously a real shame. They are definitely the sort of coins you would find at the bottom of the ocean in a lost treasure trove!

Rather than the coins being melted, i like to flatten the coins and use the history and life of the coin as an extra element of interest and beauty.

Over time, the surface will develop patina in response to wear, deepening shadows and softening highlights. This change is part of the life of the piece — a visible record of use rather than deterioration.

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Meaning & Wearing

The Mermaid & Anchor pendant is open in meaning.

Some are drawn to its maritime symbolism, others to the balance it suggests between intuition and grounding. Worn regularly, it becomes a companion rather than a statement — a reminder to move freely while staying connected to what holds you steady.

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Anchored, Not Bound

Mermaid & Anchor is not about restraint.

It is about choosing where to rest, when to move, and how to remain connected while navigating change. Over time, the pendant gathers its own associations, shaped by the wearer’s life as much as by the maker’s hand.

For more on the craft, symbolism, and process behind this piece, visit Our Craft & Inspiration.

SIZE : Approx 40 mm * 25 mm