Brief Summary… 

• Recycled silver Half Crown coin circa 1880’s – 1900’s
• Meticulously hand cut, carved and engraved
• Made using only traditional hand tools and techniques
• Necklace chain included, various length options
• Optional free engraved details on reverse
• Optional Silver, Copper or Bonze wee charm
• Hairy Growler Shepherd’s Crook Necklace Catch: Sterling Silver
• Size : Approx 55mm * 50mm (large and unmissable!)
• Symbolism : our home, ancestors, nature, connection, healing
• Handcrafted & Recycled in Cambridge
• Made carefully with love

A little more detail…

Recycled silver Crown coin

At the art and craft mkt the other day I had the opportunity to meet various lovely people from “all of the shop”. Whilst taking to a couple from Japan (in English! – as best i could) they remarked on how beautiful and ‘English’ the landscape was with rolling hills and fields of crops. The convo moved on to urban development and the corporate nature crushing machine that is encouraged by whichever govt is ‘elected’. (my fault)

After a ‘tangental critique’ of society I got talking about the land our ancient ancestors looked after, a land which would have very probably had very few fields and ‘rolling landscapes’ that now seem idyllic when sitting on an A-road. A land filled top to bottom with what we now term ‘ancient woodlands’. A land inhabited by ‘tree roots’ peoples who understood and cared for the woodland. In our pre-imperial native cultures and in for example Irish Brehon law there were laws which prevented the felling of noble sacred tree’s and protections for nature and all living beings.

Less than 1% of the ‘country’ is now what is termed as ancient woodland. Extremely sad, especially as they feel so good to be roaming around. I’m sure my mother once said to me (or a witch) that to experience the reality of your existence and express it through art there are three ideal places. First next to water; where the ocean meets the land at your feet and the distant horizon; next to a stream, by a loch, water. Second looking up at the stars on a clear night sky, preferably on a new moon (when the moon mysteriously disappears for a couple of days each month! lol – the ‘explanation’ for this is very flimsy). The third, simply sitting in the company of an oak tree.

The ancient woodland symbolizes themes such as the unconscious, the unknown, and a transition into another world due to its enclosed nature and boundary status between civilization and the wilderness. It is a place of endurance, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life through ancient trees and their weathered forms. Furthermore, ancient woods are places of magic, healing, and refuge, offering sanctuary from the outside world for both people and mythical beings.

The dense, often impenetrable nature of ancient woods can symbolize the hidden, unfamiliar, and mysterious aspects of the self or the world beyond ordinary experience. Entering a woodland can represent a journey into a different state of being, leading to personal growth, wisdom, or a more profound understanding of humanity.

Ancient woodlands are the edge of settled civilization, making them symbolic of the boundary between the civilized and the wild, the known and the unknown. It is a magical space in be in. The towering, gnarled, and weathered trees within an ancient wood symbolize timelessness, resilience, and the deep connection to the earth and history, holding stories within their rings.

Discarded and uncollectible by numismatists due to excessive wear to surface details, these coins are just screaming out to be lovingly and sympathetically recycled. Rather than simply melting them down for the silver i prefer to invest time into creating a piece which is beautiful and ethical. I aim to not only create a contemporary, wearable design but also revive some of the original history, interest an beauty.

Each one of these trees is a complete pleasure to make, totally unique and completely individual. Once crafted the tree is finished with a simple mounted star, moon, leaf or heart hanging freely at the front fitting hand forged shepards crook safety catch.

The ‘off-cut’ surrounding silver coin is included with the necklace which connects the wearer beautifully with the trees former history and heritage.

Size Approx : 55mm * 50 mm (Large! and lovely)