Five times awarded 5 Gold Stars at RHS Chelsea
A Very British Story
The Wind in the Willows Sculpture Collection
“Take the adventure, heed the call, now ‘ere the irrevocable moment passes!”
The Wind in the Willows holds a rare position in British literary culture as a children’s classic that never confines itself to childhood. Despite the familiar tropes of talking animals and rip-roaring grand adventure, Kenneth Grahame’s timeless novel explores universal themes of companionship, class rigidity, and the appetite for life’s simple pleasures – all set against the pastoral landscape of Edwardian Britain.
Indeed, the sweeping river, the lanes and the deeper shadows of the Wild Wood shape the moral and emotional texture of the story, while its memorable characters capture all the colours of existence.
the Wind in the Willows Garden Sculptures
Toad of Toad Hall
Toad, a free-spirited, rampantly wealthy aristocrat, holed away in his large inherited estate; a vibrancy captured in this delightful Mr. Toad in a Dinner Jacket sculpture, which arrived in our collection this year – a piece that perfectly embodies his appetite for the finer things in life!
Meanwhile, our Toad of Toad Hall bronze garden sculpture reimagines the infamous chapter in which his obsession with cars leads him to impulsively steal one from an inn, resulting in a thrilling chase – driving goggles fixed and scarf billowing happily in the wind! This year, 3D scanning technology has allowed us to enlarge this iconic Mr. Toad sculpture into a much larger statement piece for your garden.
the Wind in the Willows Garden Sculptures
Mr. Badger
Mr. Badger is assuredly the most discerning animal of the tight-knit friendship group in Kenneth Grahame’s novel; a complicated character who spends the majority of his days alone in the depths of the Wild Wood, more than content reading, meditating, and generally living out a quiet, subterranean existence.
Stoic, but fiercely loyal to those he calls friends; it’s Badger’s timely advice that finally encourages Toad to rethink his excessive lifestyle. In this beautifully crafted garden sculpture, we find an entirely unruffled Badger holding a night lantern, illuminating the sprawling pathway ahead.
the Wind in the Willows Garden Sculptures
Ratty and Mole
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
Just as sculptor James Coplestone has a passion for canoeing, fishing, sailing, wild swimming and boating; Ratty and Mole, two much-loved characters from Kenneth Grahame’s novel, are never happier than when on the river. In this stunning water feature, we find a memorable scene in which two old friends prepare for a great adventure in their rowing boat: to talk, to philosophise, to enjoy the beauty of their surroundings. A charming snapshot of the English countryside and the joy of an enduring friendship.
The Great British Countryside
Landscape, atmosphere, story
Kenneth Grahame’s passion for nature, wild landscape, and conservation helped conceive some of children’s literature’s best-loved characters. Indeed, tales of boating, caravanning, riverside picnicking, and the adventures of four animal friends, brought to life by the illustrations of Ernest H. Shepard, are an ode to the great British countryside.
In the workshop, our approach to a Wind in the Willows literary sculpture begins with the attentive study of text and illustrations; each character must be shaped to preserve their recognisable essence, then refined until they carry the right sense of movement and personality in the round. The casting and finishing processes bring depth and permanence, resulting in bronze sculptures that sit comfortably within the changing textures of the great outdoors.
If you are planning a garden project or simply considering where these characters might sit best, contact the studio, and we’ll happily advise.
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