Galleries: Relief carvings

I love the graphic possibilities relief carving gives, it really is like drawing in stone but with an extra dimension to play with. They all begin as drawings and the drawing elements of line, tone, contrast and texture are all here but the impression of depth is actual as well as illusory which gives added animation.

Scientific illustrations, such as Robert Hooke's 'Micrographia' are a big influence, published in 1665 and still some of the best science illustrations to be found anywhere. Featured here, among others are insects installed along the Pennine way near Low Force waterfall in Teesdale. Also a number of carvings to be found at the National trust's Calke Abbey Limeyard trail.

South Devonshire sire

Bull relief in Cumbrian slate, 420mm x 590mm, Trewint Cavalier IV by name, bit of a charmer.

Bull rear view

this is why relief is so much better than a picture; it changes as you move around it

The Muse

A narrative carving in Cumbrian slate from an original painting by the artist Miranda Fraser

Slate Roses

Delabole slate relief

Shield

Private commission for a family crest - Cumbrian Kirby slate

Bumble bee

Black Weardale limestone and gold leaf 420mm x 450mm x 90mm

For sale

Koi Carp

Delabole Slate 520mm x 200mm x 20mm

An image shamelessly lifted from Hokusai.

For sale

Golden-ringed dragonfly

Black Weardale Limestone and Gold Leaf 550mm x 300mm x 120mm

Golden-ringed Dragonfly 2

Black Weardale Limestone and Gold Leaf 550mm x 300mm x 120mm

Juniper Shield Bug

Approx.30cm in length, carved on a boulder of black Weardale limestone at Derwent reservoir, Co. Durham.

Mayfly nymph

Approx. 25cm long, to be found in a dry stone wall on the Pennine way at Low Force, Teesdale.

Mayfly

Approx. 30cm long, part of the 'Cold-blooded and Spineless' sculpture trail at Low Force, Teesdale.

Stonefly

Approx. 30cm long, Black Weardale limestone, Emplaced in dry stone wall near Low Force, Teesdale.

Stonefly larva

Black Weardale Limestone, Situated on Pennine way, Teesdale.

Red Admiral

Black Weardale Limestone, part polished with Gold Leaf 350mm x 400mm x 110mm

Another one of our most iconic insects.

For sale

Painted Lady

Part polished black Limestone and Gold Leaf 350mm x 400mm x 150mm

Often seen as an British insect, but in fact migrates all the way from Morocco to our gardens.

For sale

various butterflies

A selection of butterflies; red admiral, peacock and swallowtail for the Greens cafe in Padstow

Small tortoiseshell

Part-polished black Weardale Limestone and Gold Leaf 320mm x 370mm x 150mm

CalkeAbbey Tram cart

Magnesium Limestone

Way-marker at Calke Abbey Limeyard trail, Derbyshire.

Calke Abbey Ivy

Magnesium Limestone.

Way-marker at Calke Abbey Limeyard trail, Derbyshire

Calke Abbey field mushrooms

Magnesium Limestone

Way-marker at Calke Abbey Limeyard trail, Derbyshire

Calke Abbey Hart's tongue Fern

Magnesium Limestone

Way-marker at Calke Abbey Limeyard trail, Derbyshire

Calke Abbey beetle

Magnesium Limestone relief

Way-marker at the National trust's Limeyard trail - Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

crest

Portland stone basesbed. Detail from a house sign in Surrey

Acanthus

Hoptonwood limestone 190mm x 250mm x 30mm

Originally a Greek motif, but this one comes more from the Renaissance.

Roundel

Portland stone 370mm x 370mm x 120mm

Form taken from a plaster cast of an Roman original from the Pantheon in Rome.

Roundel detail

Portland Limestone

Red kites

Forest of Dean sandstone, Brecon Beacons.

Kite stone

Forest of Dean sandstone, Brecon Beacons.

Stag beetles

Portland Limestone 200mm x 300mm x 40mm

For sale

Wallington owl

Hoptonwood Limestone 450mm x 220mm x 40mm

Trevethy Quoit

Delabole Slate 380mm x 210mm x 40mm