'The Four Pillars' Vase in Britannia Silver

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Hammer formed, deep relief chased

Britannia silver

100mm high x 53mm diameter approx.

127g

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Availability: AVAILABLE NOW

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Photographer: Paul Mounsey

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The ‘Four Pillars’ Vase in Britannia silver

Handcrafted in Britannia silver, the vessel is formed from flat sheet using traditional hammering techniques that have been practiced for millennia. Once the shape is complete, it is filled with pitch and the surface is chased using fine steel punches, creating a rich, tactile texture that catches the light.

The ‘Four Pillars’ Silver Vase is inspired by the tail feather of the woodpecker, which is a bird that represents the warrior spirit. The four feathers are representative of the four directions but is also a concept that occurs in many different spiritual and philosophical traditions.

The shape of the vase is also reminiscent of the shape of vases and jars seen in ancient Egypt. According to Egyptian mythology Osiris conducted a ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ceremony the deceased presented their heart to the balance where various gods performed the ceremony. The heart of the dead, which contained a record of all the deceased’s actions in life, was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the Goddess who fittingly represented truth, balance, justice and harmony. In this way the feathers could also be seen to represent truth, justice, balance and harmony, or any four qualities that are felt to be of significance.

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Each vessel is individually handmade in Cornwall, meaning no two are ever the same — subtle variations are part of their unique character and charm.

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Commissions: To commission a similar bespoke piece, please get in touch via the CONTACT page. Commissions are handmade to order; lead times and dates can be discussed on request.