Five times awarded 5 Gold Stars at RHS Chelsea
From book to bronze
Celebrating Our Literary Partnerships
Behind every sculpture lies a story, and collaborations with some of Britain’s most beloved literary estates give us the tools and inspiration to capture the essence of an author’s original work.
“We cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure!”
Beatrix Potter
Working with celebrated literary estates
While the walls of our busy workshop might echo with the clink of tools and careful industry, the process of transforming iconic children’s literature into bronze often begins in quieter places. An archive drawer, a well-worn sketchbook, a single original drawing; perhaps just a conversation between Robert and James about a beloved story over a well-earned tea break.
Invaluable to this process is the wonderful access we’re granted to original works by some of Britain’s most iconic literary estates. From the World of Beatrix Potter and Penguin Random House to the Estates of Norman Thelwell and Mary Cicely Barker, we’re able to collaborate closely with people who knew the creators personally, or with families who now act as stewards of their legacy, helping us translate their two-dimensional masterpieces into something that, like their famous stories, will last a lifetime.
Partners and official estates we work with
A new partnership with HarperCollins and the Judith Kerr Estate
The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat
In 2025, after many months of determined work in the studio, we were thrilled to unveil something rather special at RHS Chelsea Flower Show – our first collaboration with HarperCollins UK and Tacy Kneale, daughter of the cherished children’s author, Judith Kerr.
Through this partnership, the project brought two beloved characters into bronze for the very first time: The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat.
From page to sculpture
How to capture iconic book characters
As these iconic characters have been such familiar part of childhood for generations of young readers, translating them from the page into sculpture would always pose a creative challenge. Illustrations full of charm, poise and movement, but existing only in two-dimensional form with proportions that don’t always translate easily into the physical world.
To help bridge the gap, we were able to refer to The Tiger Who Came to Tea Christmas animation – which Judith approved shortly before her passing – to capture the contrast between the tiger’s imperious presence and his playful movements.
As ever, when trying to bring to life such an instantly recognisable character, the devil is in the details. So we were sure to pay close attention to those finer points – from the balance and movement of the poses, right down to the careful etching of each of the tiger’s stripes into clay with a fine needle before the bronze casting process began.
Beloved characters who span generations
The Tiger and Mog at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The reaction at Chelsea 2025 was simply magical. Families are often drawn to our sculptures throughout the show, with many stopping to take photos beside the characters – and the appearance of Judith Kerr’s Tiger and Mog proved equally popular. An even mix of children and grown-ups queuing to capture a moment with these familiar faces. It was heartwarming to see just how deeply loved these characters remain across generations.
This particular sculpture also marked a quiet milestone for us. It was the first piece in our collection shaped by Louis, James’s son – someone who, like many, grew up with The Tiger Who Came to Tea. There’s a certain symmetry to the process that we can’t help but enjoy – a story passed from parent to child, now made permanent.
These are the kinds of partnerships we value most, where trust allows us to tread lightly through beloved worlds – and leave behind something that will be cherished for a lifetime.
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