A recent trip—first to the Midlands in England and then to New York—became an unexpected case study in whimsical carvings and hardware, each piece telling a story through design and symbolism.
Feathers’ Hotel Ludlow, Shropshire, England photo by Martin Pierce
It began in the town of Ludlow, Shropshire, at the Feathers Hotel, built in 1619 and a stunning example of the town’s Jacobean timber-framed architecture. A closer look revealed a particularly odd carving of a man’s head that appeared to be either scowling or crying (possibly both). Delving into the symbolism of the period, I learned that such carvings are known as “grotesque” or “morality” figures—often caricatures of people embodying anger, gluttony, envy, or other moral vices. They served as cautionary tales, warning mortals to steer clear of these unsavory traits—even if the hotel owner may have indulged in a bit of ostentation while delivering the message.
Rich symbolism carved by Robert Mouseman Thompson
At Stanbrook Abbey, Callow End, Worcestershire, on a guided tour of the abbey—now functioning as a hotel and restaurant—we came across a carved stairwell by Robert Thompson. Thompson was an ecclesiastical woodcarver and furniture maker, and the ecclesiastic and heraldic symbolism is clear in the eagle motif, a bird often said to symbolize strength and “divine inspiration”—though one might question the source of such inspiration. Equally meaningful is the collection of busy bees, a metaphor for living a harmonious, selfless life in a monastic order under a vow of silence. Thompson had a sense of humor that earned him the nickname “Mouseman” Thompson, due to his habit of incorporating uncommissioned carved mice into his work. A very close inspection of the image here will reveal the profile of one of the four mice hidden in this staircase.
Good luck and happiness symbolism - carved and cast bats by Martin Pierce on his one of a kind game table and chairs
Onwards to New York, and to a game table and chairs—a modern example of whimsical hardware created by Martin Pierce Hardware. Upon returning from a trip to Asia, friends commissioned Martin to create a game table and chairs. As a nod to the bat’s symbolism as a harbinger of good fortune and prosperity in Asian culture, he incorporated four carved wooden bats into the game table and four cast bronze bats as chair brackets. Continuing the theme of good luck and animal-themed decor, Martin went on to design functional bat cabinet pulls, also cast in bronze.
Poodles were commissioned and photographed by Gillian Crane
Then to Texas, and to bronze poodle castings—poodle door knobs creatively positioned by clients as a door accent and proudly displayed on their entry doors.