Pierre Toulhoat’s work arouses a never-denied approval since middle XXth century. It comes from the large catalogue of jewels signed Toulhoat.
Through many faiths, footprints in stone are seen as a mark that gods or saints have been present.
The hieroglyph for ancient Egyptians of ’life’, this perhaps represents the sunrise where the sun is the source of all life. The Ankh was taken up by the Coptic Church and survives as its version of the cross.
An ancient and powerful sign which unites horizontal and vertical opposites and takes on particular significance after Christ becoming the dominant symbol of the Christian Church.
A powerful feature adorning Nepalese stupas, these eyes are at once calm and penetrating, suggesting meditation and enlightenment.
Often used in Celtic art, the triple spiral comes from the 5,000 year old site of New Grange
This mysterious Celtic Figure adorned a cauldron taken from Ireland by the Vikings.274G
Perhaps the most famous of Irish legends, telling of King Conchobar who kept Deirdre on solitude as his intended wife. She saw and fell in love with Naisi who took her off to Scotland.
There have always been angels, divine messengers and guardians. This angel comes from a 10th century cross at Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly. 218G
For the Celt, the dove is an image of love and harmony, also a symbol of innocence and marital love. From a carving by sculptor Ken Thompson.244G
Created in the scriptorium of the monastery on Iona, the Book of Kells was brought to Ireland during the 8th century to evade the Vikings. It is probably the finest work of manuscript illustration ever designed. Birds travel freely between heaven and earth, they are possessors of secrets and are seen as heavenly messengers. 568G
This wild yet controlled geometric pattern is the very heart of Celtic art, showing how the Celts delighted in both order and disorder.
Cats are both homely and mysterious, their eyes shine in the dark and, like the moon, their pupils change from round to crescent. They are sacred to the Moon Goddess, and familiars of the femine.
The oldest of the great Irish high crosses, dating from the 7th century. It stands 10 feet high, dominating a street in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. The immediate appeal to those seeking a gift for an Irish person is self-evident. The mystery of its powerful symbolism we endeavour to unravel for you. . 396G
A spiral uncoils into serpents consuming four heads united by the Celtic circle and cross. Linear/rational pattern at base. Suggests the struggle between such opposites as chaos and reason, the conscious and unconscious, man and woman. 254G
A spiral uncoils into serpents consuming four heads united by the Celtic circle and cross. Linear/rational pattern at base. Suggests the struggle between such opposites as chaos and reason, the conscius and unconscious, man and woman. 104G
The symbol of four is powerfully but simply set within the Celtic spiral pattern in this beautiful cross from Durrow, Co. Offaly. It seeks to discipline the forces of Life and contain them against the unknown, offering comfort 108G