Brief Summary… 

• Recycled silver shilling coin circa 1800’s
• Meticulously hand cut, carved and engraved
• Made using only traditional hand tools and techniques
• Optional free engraved details on reverse
• Optional Chain: Sterling Silver. Recommend : Flourish / Omnia
• Hairy Growler Shepherd’s Crook Necklace Catch: Sterling Silver
• Size : 23mm diameter
• Symbolism : Hidden and unknown potential and power, for both creation & destruction
• Handcrafted & Recycled in Cambridge

A little more detail….

This gorgeous octopus necklace is crafted from one sterling silver shilling coin, English and dated 1800’s. 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!

A simple octopus design is sketched on to the surface of the silver half crown coinwith a fine nibbed marker pen. This rough sketch is then embellished and used as a approx guide line for my piercing saw work. From here the pendant was carved, filed, sanded, polished and finished. SIZE : Approx 23mm diameter

The octopus, with its intelligence, adaptability, and intriguing appearance, has inspired my craftsmen and artists across cultures and throughout time to weave it into their works as a multifaceted symbol.

It’s mastery of camouflage and ability to change its form is a powerful metaphor for adapting to different situations, blending in, and navigating life’s challenges with flexibility. As one of the most intelligent invertebrates, octopuses represent strategic thinking, ingenuity, and the capacity to find creative solutions to complex problems.

The octopus’s highly sensitive tentacles, equipped with numerous neurons, embody a heightened sense of awareness and illuminated perception. As a deep-sea creature inhabiting the unexplored realms of the ocean, the octopus can symbolize the unknown, the mysteries of the unconscious mind, and a journey into the hidden depths of oneself. Its elusive nature and the secrets it holds can represent the allure of the mysterious, hidden depths of knowledge, and a connection to the enigmatic forces of nature.

The ability to regenerate lost limbs makes the octopus a potent symbol of healing, resilience, and the capacity for renewal and rebirth after overcoming adversity. This regenerative quality can also symbolize personal transformation, growth, and the journey of becoming the strongest, most complete version of oneself.

The octopus is also imagined as a formidable creature embodying terror and danger, especially in legends like the Kraken.