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Lichen Specimens - miniature porcelain lichens in old watchmakers tins

Lichen Specimens - miniature porcelain lichens in old watchmakers tins

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I like to imagine that a collector found these miniature lichen treasures long ago, tucking them in to tins for protection, and taking them home for their cabinet of curiosities. In reality, the lichens are exquisite, hand modelled porcelain sculptures.

The lichens were created using simple hand tools to shape the soft clay. They were made especially to fit these tins, and fired in my kiln, to 1245 degrees centigrade.

The tins are showing signs of their age, as you can see from the photographs. The metal coating is worn, there are a few small 'dings', and the glass in the lids is marked and chipped in places... to me this adds to their beauty.

I have lined the tins with dark tissue paper, and the larger also has some dried moss to add to the natural feel of these sculptures. Both tins are about 1.7cm tall. One is about 3.2cm diameter, the other about 2.3cm.

These exquisite miniatures would look great as part of a collection of other small objects, or placed on a little ledge on their own. I think they would appeal to anyone who loves natural history, old collections or miniature handmade treasures.

Please note I’ve done my very best to photograph the colours accurately, but colours can look different on different devices.

UK Postage only, sent recorded delivery, Royal Mail first class - signature required on arrival (takes 1-2 working days from posing). It will be posted in a box, with lots of padding.

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I am fascinated by the small details of the natural world, so I often notice the tiny lichens that grow near where I live. Using a magnifying lens to look closely at these beauties is like diving in to a whole other world! By creating these miniature lichens I was trying to capture some of that intricate detail and beauty, and to share that sense of wonder.

The tins came first - I spotted them at an antiques fair and instantly loved their sense of age. They still had a few watchmaker's gears in them, which I've removed, but I've left their hand-written labels inside as it's part of their story.

The tins reminded me very much of antique glass-lidded specimen boxes that I'd seen at the Natural History Museum, so I decided to make two different types of lichens, as a pair of specimens. I wanted to give them the feel of them having come from an old cabinet of curiosities - beautiful treasures of the natural world.

This item will be posted to you by Kathryn Parsons Ceramics within 5 days of receiving payment.

Shipping destination Cost Additional items
United Kingdom £2.50

You have 14 days, from receipt, to notify the seller if you wish to cancel your order or exchange an item.

Unless faulty, the following types of items are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to your specific requirements; items which deteriorate quickly (e.g. food), personal items sold with a hygiene seal (cosmetics, underwear) in instances where the seal is broken; digital items.

Additional terms

Please note that your sculpture will be sent by Royal Mail "Signed For 1st Class" - signature required on delivery (delivery takes 1-2 working days from posting).

Please note that if your order is being posted outside mainland UK, you (or the recipient) may have to pay customs or VAT charges and a handling fee. The seller is not responsible for any charges or fees that may incur.

Read the Folksy Returns Policy.

Designed by Kathryn Parsons in my studio in Cambridgeshire

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