Decorative ceramic Celtic Owl tile

I am coeval with the ancient oak

Whose roots spread wide in yonder moss

Many a race has passed before me

And still I am the lonely owl of Srona

                                                 Domhnull Mac Fhionnlaidh

Owl, cailleach-oidhche (crone of the night), sacred to the Goddess in her crone aspect

symbolizes esoteric wisdom & secrecy.

This is our very popular 6x6 Celtic Owl tile, shown here in a high gloss espresso art glaze.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Celtic mermaid and seal ceramic tile

Our new relief carved 8"x 8" Celtic Mermaid and seal tile.

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A mermaid found a swimming lad,

Picked him for her own,

Pressed her body to his body'

Laughed; and plunged down

Forgot in cruel happiness

That even lovers drown.

                                     William Butler Yeats

Tales of mermaids and their many interactions with humans have been around for centuries. They form a large part of seafaring lore, especially, but not exclusively around the coastal areas of Britian.

Although most stories are of sea dwelling mermaids, many are told of them haunting rivers and deep pools. The name mermaid is often used to describe a range of supernatural water creatures.

The classic mermaid known in western cultures is derived from Celtic legend, folklore and local sealore in places where people were in contact with the sea as part of every day life.

Christopher Columbus logged that he had seen mermaids on his journey to the new world and was suprised that they were not more attractive. The popular belief is that it was actually manatees he saw.

Celtic Claddagh, decorative ceramic tile

8 x 8 relief carved ceramic Claddagh tile, a symbol of love, friendship & loyalty.

The Claddagh ring was designed around 400 years ago by Richard Joyce in a fishing village called Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay. It belongs to a group of finger rings which date from Roman times called Fede or Faith rings. The Claddagh is a very distinctive design amongst Fede rings and there are several stories as to it's origins. One of the more popular tales is that a Richard Joyce of Galway was captured by Algerian corsairs and sold to a Moorish goldsmith,  from whom he learned the craft. In 1689, as the result of a demand from King William III, he was released from slavery. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage along with half his wealth if he would remain in Algiers. Richard declined and returned home with the idea and skills to craft the Claddagh ring. The earliest rings to be traced bear his mark & initials.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Decorative relief carved hummingbird ceramic tile

Flight has always represented freedom and the ascent of the soul to the gods. Birds share something of the same symbolic meaning. Coming from the skies they are messengers from higher powers, for good or ill.

Here's a relief carved & hand painted pair of 6x6 Humming bird tiles with iridecent mother of pearl luster on the feathers. The flowers can be custom painted in any color.
http://earthsongtiles.com/

New Celtic mermaid & seal tile carving

I have now finished carving the 8x8 Celtic mermaid & seal tile designed by our daughter Sara.
Here's the original carving in progress.

Here's John preparing the frame for the plaster mold.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Decorative ceramic raven tile

Ravens, well known for thier intelligence, have been distinguished in numerous cultures as a harbinger of powerful secrets. To the Celts Bran, the Welsh word for Raven, is associated with healing, initiation, protection and the gift of prophecy. For the Norse they are symbolic of mind, thought & wisdom. In Native North American tradition the raven is a venerated bird of creation, known as the bringer of light as well as being wise & sly.

This is our 14 x 7 demi lune raven tile. I thought I'd feature this tile today after a friend of mine that was visiting for a couple of days had an interesting raven encounter on a trail by the beach.

This tile is one of my personal favorites and holds a feature spot in my kitchen. As with all our demi lune tiles it looks great over a doorway, especially if your an Edgar Allen Poe fan.

 

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Green man ceramic tile

Here is our new 6 x 6 green man tile. The green man has been a powerful symbol throughout western culture, representing male energy and the eternal cycle of decay and renewal.

http://earthsongtiles.com/