BLACK DOG OF WELLS

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Ammonite

Ammonites are the fossilised remains of an extinct member of the mollusc family, which lived millions of years ago deep beneath the sea. Found in predominately limestone rocks, they are relatively abundant on Charmouth Beach in Dorset – part of the natural Jurassic World Heritage Coast of Britain.

Although they are still to be found with careful searching, it is better to admire the beautiful convoluted shape without removing it from its natural setting. This attractive garden plaque makes an environmentally friendly and attractive decoration for the wall of a geologist, for gardeners or anyone with an interest in the natural world. The design was originally commissioned by Charmouth Post Office, on the Dorset coast.

Dimensions: 10cm x 11cm

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Dodo

DODO

The flightless, turkey-sized dodo was regarded as a great curiosity by the early 17th century visitors to Mauritius as they sailed in the Indian Ocean. A number of the strange birds were shipped alive to Europe but they were reported as being clumsy and stupid and were slaughtered in large numbers by sailors who visited Mauritius. They were known to be rare by 1640, and the last dodo was dead by 1670.
The only complete stuffed dodo was kept in Oxford, but this was destroyed in a fire in 1755. We know what the dodo looked like: there are several drawings, a head and foot were saved from the fire and skeletons have been reconstructed from bones dug up in the 19th century.
Alfred Waterhouse, the 19th century architect of London’s Natural History Museum, designed a wonderful range of decorative bas relief panels which can still be seen both inside and outside the museum.
Sadly, the tile represents the tragic effect of mankind’s thoughtless treatment of the natural world. This wall hanging would make a great present for all nature lovers – and perhaps for younger people to remind them of this story and to inspire them to care for our earth and its fragile economy.

Dimensions: 10cm x 10.2cm

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God's Tree

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE

At the turn of the last century, the poet Joyce Kilmer (1888-1918) wrote “Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree”
The second line of the couplet has become something of a war cry for the twenty first century’s Green Movement. Just these few words remind us that for all man’s amazing technological advancements, nature is the all-important force that we must re-learn to protect and conserve.
The image of a simple fruit tree is based on a well known design for tapestry - “The Orange Tree”. This was produced by Morris & Co, the design and manufacturing company started by William Morris in the late 19th century. The decorative design with its thought provoking message makes a good present for William Morris fans, creationists, gardeners and perhaps for today’s young eco-warrior.

Dimensions: 10.2cm x 10.2cm

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Medieval Garden

GOD THE FIRST GARDEN MADE

This shows two rather well dressed gardeners working in a verdant garden. One holds a tree firmly whilst the other is carrying a basket of fruit and at their feet are two shovels. The design is based on woodcuts from one of the earliest books about gardening, The Book of Planting which was printed in Strasbourg in 1512.
The quotation “God the first Garden made” is by Abraham Cowley (1618 – 1667), the seventeenth century Cavalier Poet. As well as being a poet Cowley took a great and practical interest in experimental science. His advocacy led directly to the foundation of the Royal Society in 1660.
This is a really interesting and historic tile design for courtyards and gardens everywhere.

Dimensions: 10cm x 10cm

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Passenger Pigeon

The American Passenger pigeon was very different from our British pigeon. In 19th century North America, flocks of these would darken the sky. Early settlers regarded them as predators and shot the birds indiscriminately in vast numbers. After half a century, the birds dwindled in number and, before they could be saved, they became extinct. The last passenger pigeon died in captivity in a zoo in New York in about1914.
Alfred Waterhouse, the 19th century architect of London’s Natural History Museum, designed a wonderful range of decorative bas relief panels which can still be seen both inside and outside the museum.
Sadly, the Passenger Pigeon represents the tragic effect of mankind’s thoughtless treatment of the natural world. This wall decoration would make a great present for all nature lovers – and perhaps for younger people to remind them of this sad story and to inspire them to care for our earth.

Dimensions: 10.4cm x 10cm

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Sunflower

GIVE ME THE SPLENDID SILENT SUN

The French call the sunflower Girasol – literally the flower that turns to the sun. This delightful ceramic tile would add charm to any courtyard or garden with the warm glow of terracotta brightening a dull winter’s day.
The quote which runs around the centre reads “Give me the splendid silent sun....” which is taken from a poem of the same name by the North American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

This garden decoration, modelled from life, is a permanent reminder of summer for the whole year. This outdoor wall tile can be hung in a patio or courtyard.

Dimensions: 10.8cm